Mourning a Legend and Role Model

Story by Christian Outten. Photos courtesy of The Wrap.

FEB. 12, 2020: On Sunday, January 26, former NBA star Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, and seven other passengers lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. They were headed to a basketball game where Gianna’s team was going to play. 

Kobe Bryant did things on the basketball court that lots of people wanted to do but couldn’t. According to ESPN, he scored 81 points in a game, second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100. He also won two scoring titles and came to the NBA right out of high school in 1996, later becoming an All-Star his second season. Kobe was seen on TV for so many years as a star basketball player. One of the best in the game, he represented greatness, perfection, hard work, and a relentless work ethic. 

Yes, the world lost a legendary basketball player, but it also lost a role model who was inspiring young girls everywhere. Kobe Bryant always had an interest in women’s basketball. After retiring, he went out of his way to promote girls playing basketball by holding a mini-camp at his Mamba Sports Academy facility for Gianna’s AAU team. He also mentored different college and WNBA players to help them improve their skills.

Many young people mourn his death because of what he represented to basketball fans all over. The time he spent promoting women’s basketball showed his dedication to the game and female athletes. The way he talked about his four daughters and wife showed his dedication as a father and family man.

Kobe Bryant’s death was random and tragic, but it should remind us to always enjoy our lives to the fullest and to make sure that our lives will be remembered for something positive we did and a difference we have helped make. 

 Christian Outten is a 5th grade scholar at Friendship Woodridge International School.