(WIKI DAILY) On April 13, 2016, Kobe Bryant left the NBA on his own terms scoring 60 points — more than any other player in a game that season — in a win over the Utah Jazz as he drew the curtain on his historic 20-year career. On Sunday, in a Helicopter crash, the 41-year-old alongside his 13-year- old daughter alongside 9 others tragically died outside of Los Angeles, California. The outpouring of tributes from those in and out of basketball, provide a glimpse into how Bryant’s legacy will be shaped after his death.
Dead with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna on Sunday. The Lakers legend leaves a formidable legacy on and off the court. On the court, he is remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the game, winning five championships, two NBA Finals MVPs and two Olympic gold medals, while finishing fourth in career scoring ___ he was surpassed by current Lakers captain LeBron James on Saturday.
Off the court Bryant was many things: An intellectual who switched effortlessly between Italian, Spanish and English; a doting father to four daughters, a budding media mogul who won an Oscar, a fervent soccer fan of Barcelona and AC Milan, a champion of women’s sports, and an inspiration to younger players for his winning attitude that he labeled “Mamba Mentality.
“However, his sexual assault charge stemming from a 2003 incident in Colorado, which was dropped and then settled out of court in a civil suit, complicates his legacy in the #MeToo era and led to protests after his Oscar win in 2018. But the experience, which cost him millions of dollars in endorsement deals at the time, also developed him as a person and allowed the release of the non-apologetic and at times overly brash competitor in him, he later said.
Bryant was the son of former NBA player Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, who transitioned to the Italian league when his son was just six years old. It was in Italy where Bryant’s love of soccer was shaped and where he also experienced racism.
“When I was growing up in Italy, I’ve obviously witnessed it first-hand going to certain soccer matches and things of that nature,” Bryant said. “My parents have taught me and educated me on how to deal with those sorts of things.”
