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Last week, the sporting world was shocked by the Black Mamba’s untimely death in a helicopter accident in California, but the tributes continue to pour in from around the sports world. Heartbreakingly, Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, was also confirmed dead in the crash.

RIP KOBE BRYANT

From his flashy beginnings as an 18-year-old kid coming into the league determined to take over, to a 20-year NBA veteran, Bryant cemented his legacy as Laker royalty and an NBA legend. Rivaled only by Michael Jordan in competitive spirit, Kobe will forever be remembered as one of basketball’s best ever.

NBA STARS PAY TRIBUTE

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I’m Not Ready but here I go. Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had! I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have. WTF!! I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!! 😢😢😢😢💔. Man I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all here especially #LakerNation💜💛 and it’s my responsibility to put this shit on my back and keep it going!! Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me! I got US here! There’s so much more I want to say but just can’t right now because I can’t get through it! Until we meet again my brother!! #Mamba4Life❤️🙏🏾 #Gigi4Life❤️🙏🏾

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I don't know if I'll ever be able to fully process it. My parents have always said everything happens for a reason and its in God’s plan. But this one is different. Broken fingers, torn Achilles, it didn’t matter. You overcame it all!! You were DIFFERENT! Sometimes we competed so hard against each other that you could never tell how I was always watching YOU!! I needed to see how much better I needed to get and how much harder I needed to work! The love you had for the game was nowhere near the love you had for YOUR girls!! All 5 of them!! And Gigi, who we had already prearranged her marriage with lil Chris, is as beautiful and feisty as she could ever be!!! As I’ve watched you in retirement, as happy as you’ve ever been, I’ve sat back and prayed and hoped that my baby girl will look at me the way Gigi looks at you!!! I Love You and will miss you with all my heart my brother!!! All my love to Vanessa and all the families during this time 🙏🏾 #Mamba4Life #Mambacita

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Damn Bro!! 😥 I hate when I have so much to say, but I can’t put any of it into words. The times I have the most to say are the times that I can’t talk. I’m screaming inside but I can’t be heard. YOU don’t know how hard it is to try to pretend to smile when I have these clouds of emotions. YOU just called me and told me you were coming to the game Friday and that you were proud of me and “regardless of anything, stay true to myself and STAYME7O” We were just laughing about how hard YOU was working GiGi and her teammates and I told YOU they need a day off 😂😢 This pain is almost unbearable Champ! Why you bro? Why GiGi? Why leave Vanessa with this Sadness and Pain. WHY? This will never make sense to me. I know I’m not suppose to question GODs Will. I know GOD doesn’t make mistakes. It just seems like It always rains the hardest on those who deserve the sun. There are moments in life when there’s simply NO words to describe the pain within. This is one of them. YOU will continue to be Loved. YOU will be missed. YOU will forever be remembered. YOUR legacy will live on FOREVER. OUR FRIENDSHIP will never be forgotten. I know YOU will be near, Even if I don’t see YOU. PEACE KING!!! “There Are No Goodbyes. Where Ever You’ll be, You’ll be in Our Hearts” All Praise Due #STAYME7O

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WNBA STARS PAY TRIBUTE

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“There’s a choice that we have to make as people, as individuals. If you want to be great at something, there’s a choice you have to make. We all can be masters at our craft, but you have to make a choice. What I mean by that is, there are inherent sacrifices that come along with that. Family time, hanging out with friends, being a great friend, being a great son, nephew, whatever the case may be. There are sacrifices that come along with making that decision.” -Kobe Bryant (You know what he’s going to say but Kobe just says it better) Heartbroken and my thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and families and friends and the entire basketball community. Legends live on forever in all of us! 💔

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Still processing so my thoughts may be fragmented: I’m not one to react socially out of respect for the families, so I hope doing so just this once isn’t disrespectful. – I can’t lie, I thought I’d finish my career with few legends, if any, knowing who I am. Before this year, I’d only run into him in the tunnels of Staples Center 2 years ago: it was very awkward. Heading to his seat, he was there to watch us play as I prepared to hit the court. Not fully registering the moment, I stopped, hesitant, and gave a half bow before scurrying to the locker room. I remember thinking, “Really Nek?! That was your ONE chance.” From that point, my only real memory was of him half laughing down the hall at this awkward young woman that clearly reacted in a way most do when they happen upon a legend. It felt unreal. – Fast forward to this summer at WNBA All-Star (pictured above), we had the pleasure of playing in front of him & his young queen (the sliver of a jean jacket here). He knew every player, she knew every player, INCLUDING ME. They knew MY name. I was stunned. They even pronounced my name correctly. It was a proud moment for me. My family & friends even mentioned they’d both shared a reaction to a jump shot I’d made; so unreal. – We (the LA Sparks) also had a dope moment at the US Women’s Soccer Team Victory Tour this summer when he invited us to his box with his daughters. He told us amazing stories about him & Fish back in the day. He had us in there ROLLIN; we could’ve stayed forever sharing our love for the game. It was all we talked about on the ride home: how UNREAL that moment was. – So much about him & her were UNREAL: a legend grooming his legacy in another young legend, his impact in sports & the world, her impact on women’s basketball, his love & support for her that permeated the space of women in sports, her genuine love for the game & for him. There’s a revolution and he saw it coming. He knew what his young queen would do & he knew where our game is going. She knew what she had to offer the world & the game. From the beginning, he was there for her AND for us. His legendary vision and impact were always so unreal, and they always will be. ❤️

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RIP Kobe 😢. This feels like a dream

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