Audio By Carbonatix
Remembering the Bryants.
On Jan. 26, a statue honouring Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna was placed on the site of the helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., two years to the day of their tragic deaths.
Created by sculptor Dan Medina, the figure shows the beloved Lakers player, clad in his uniform, with his arm around his 13-year-old daughter as she holds a basketball. The two are depicted with big smiles across their faces.
At the base of the 160-pound bronze statue is the quote, "Heroes come and go, but legends are forever," along with the names of all nine victims who perished in the 2020 accident, according to TMZ.
Medina told TMZ Sports that the statue was just a temporary tribute and said he planned to take it down by sundown. He did say, however, that he hopes the city will eventually allow him to put up a more permanent version of his art.
Kobe and Gianna were killed when their private helicopter crashed while they were travelling to a teen basketball tournament at Kobe's Mamba Sports Academy near Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Seven others died in the crash, as well: John Altobelli, a baseball coach at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa; his wife, Keri Altobelli; their daughter, Alyssa Altobelli; Christina Mauser, an assistant Mamba Sports Academy basketball coach; Payton Chester, a player on the team; her mother, Sarah Chester; and Ara Zobayan, the pilot.
Four months after the crash, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner determined the cause of death for all of the passengers to be blunt trauma and the manner of death was accidental.
Investigators later determined the pilot of the helicopter appeared to violate federal standards and likely experienced "spatial disorientation" while flying through clouds on the foggy morning.
In addition to Gianna Kobe and wife Vanessa Bryant have three other daughters—Natalia, now 19; Bianka, now 5; and Capri, now 2.
In Kobe's final interview, published a week before his death, he talked to USA Today about his work coaching youth sports and creating The Wizenard Series of children's books.
"You got to do what you love to do. I love telling stories," he said. "I love inspiring kids or providing them with tools that are going to help them."
Latest Stories
-
We appeal to Ghanaians for patience as we replace more transformers – Energy Minister
3 minutes -
Power stability has improved since 2025 compared to 2024 – Jinapor
10 minutes -
Akosombo substation fire should never have happened – Ben Boakye
13 minutes -
Savannah region: Yazori Chief issues election boycott threat over underdevelopment concerns
19 minutes -
Backbone of economy in pain – Minority warns of collapse in worker morale
22 minutes -
Ghana Jazz Orchestra clocks in on International Jazz Day
29 minutes -
M-CARE’s first steering committee meeting targets chronic and mental health care integration in Ghana
29 minutes -
Bank of Ghana in 2025: Financially impaired but operationally resilient
38 minutes -
Fixing Akosombo does not end dumsor; energy crisis predates incident — Miracles Aboagye
38 minutes -
NAIMOS dawn operation leads to arrest of 49 suspected illegal miners after ambush on taskforce in Ahanta West
41 minutes -
Energy sector woes stem from political interference, not leadership failure — Kofi Bentil
60 minutes -
Communication around power outages has been ‘insincere’— Kofi Bentil
1 hour -
President Mahama breaks ground for modern 24-hour market in Asesewa
2 hours -
Video: Daniel Kofi-Kyereh ranks Andre Ayew above Essien and Appiah in blind ranking game
2 hours -
Mensa Otabil launches new book, ‘Leading the Church’, emphasizes governance and leadership transition
4 hours