Two years have passed since the death of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, along with her teammates, who were in the helicopter with them at the time of the crash. A hole still remains in the hearts of all NBA fans who looked up to the star and this hole will likely stay forever. However, a positive thing to look at is that many are mourning Kobe because of the positive impact he made. Instead of focusing on what was lost on January 26, 2020, it is important to acknowledge and renew our hope in what lives on: Kobe’s legacy. 

A memorial statue of Kobe and Gigi has been placed at the crash site temporarily for fans to memorialize. This bronze statue also displays the names of others who were lost that day: John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser, and Ara Zobayan, all of whom should also be honored. 

The names on the statue remember those who were lost in a helicopter crash. The aircraft was headed to Gianna’s basketball tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park and crashed in Calabasas. Investigators soon discovered that the crash was due to pilot error because of foggy conditions.  

Dan Medina, the artist, depicts Kobe with an arm wrapped around daughter Gianna while they smile at each other. The sculpture attempts to portray the great amount of love Kobe has for his daughter and how proud he was to be a girl dad. 

ESPN paid tribute to Kobe with their instagram post quoting Tom Brady, “We never know what’s going to happen in the future. We really don’t. Kobe Bryant, a friend of ours, God rest his soul. We think we’re going to live forever, we’re not. We think we’re going to play forever, we’re not. What can we do? We can enjoy the moments we have.” Brady remembered Kobe with this statement on the Let’s Go podcast. 

On the day of Kobe’s death, Sports Center anchor, Elle Duncan, said, “I suppose that the only small source of comfort for me is knowing that he died doing what he loved the most, being a dad. Being a girl dad.” In addition to a collection of photos of Kobe and Gianna, Sports Center also posted to instagram a video of the basketball star walking the halls during high school, he gave commentary on how he did not prepare at all for a presentation, and was just going to wing it – something many teens can relate to. 

Kobe’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, paid tribute to her husband and daughter in a post on January 22, with a picture of them and the caption “81” and a heart. The number 81 symbolizes the record-breaking 81 points Kobe scored in a single game against the Raptors on January 22, 2006. Fun fact: NBC notes that this historic game was the only NBA game Kobe’s grandma had ever seen him play live. 

On April 17, 2020, the WNBA Draft named Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli, and Payton Chester honorary selections. Vanessa Bryant responded with, “It would have been a dream come true for her. Kobe and Gigi loved the WNBA. Thank you. I want to congratulate all of this year’s draft picks. Congratulations. Work hard. Never settle. Use that Mamba Mentality.” Mamba Mentality comes from Kobe’s nickname, “The Black Mamba,” which was inspired by Tarantino’s Kill Bill.

Kobe’s legacy lives on with the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, now run by Vanessa. The organization’s website states, “Kobe and Gigi’s vision was to create a world where young boys and girls had equal opportunity to pursue their dreams through sports and life. The foundation honors their legacy by funding programs that support their vision.” Amid the pain of Kobe, Gigi, and some of their closest friend’s death, hope can be found in the impact this foundation will be making for underserved children in athletics. 

Now that it is January of 2022, let us focus on ways to remember Kobe, Gianna, and all others lost in the crash. A way to honor them is to push forward what they started: fighting for gender equality and underserved youth in sports.