NVOT Reacts to Kobe
Impact of a legend
Athletes paying their respect.
NBA Most Valuable Player in 2008. 5x NBA Champion. 18x all star. 9x All-defensive team. 2x Olympic gold medalist. Father of 4. Husband. Worldwide icon.
The world lost one of the most influential sports figures and leaders to ever step on a court when Kobe Bryant passed away on Sunday, January 26, alongside his second oldest daughter Gianna and seven other passengers in a helicopter when it crashed into the side of a mountain in Calabasas, California.
Bryant’s legacy impacted people around the world, especially in the basketball world. NBA players, executives, and coaches honored the late Bryant in different ways. In each game played Sunday, February 1, teams took 24-second shot clock violations and eight-second backcourt violations to honor the numbers worn by Bryant. Other players, including All-Star Trae Young and the entire Detroit Pistons team, walked out wearing Bryant’s iconic numbers 8 and 24.
Bryant was more than just an influential player in the basketball world. He continues to inspire young athletes. NVOT basketball, other students, and staff have embraced the NBA as an exciting, fun professional league, and seeing such an idol lose his life is tough to swallow. Teachers, students, and other staff commented on the death of the Lakers legend, whose legacy left its mark in the halls of OT.
Athletic Director Thomas Kaechele- “Obviously when you have such a mega star, you think you know him personally, even though you’ve never met him. The helicopter crash was devastating and everyone mentions Kobe, but I feel especially devastated for the 9 other people that died. I was more heartbroken for the two 13 year olds on board who didn’t have a chance to live out their lives.”
Sophomore Elliot Chernov said, “Kobe was a big part of my childhood, and as an athlete myself, I’ve seen that his impact is much bigger than basketball.” Bryant’s impact especially affected athletes.
Mr. Steve Ahad- “The kind of father he was, was really interesting to me. I really enjoyed watching him play. He was truly an inspiration to all generations.” Mr. Ahad sent us this picture, showing him and his friends watching one of Kobe Bryant’s playoff games, years ago.
Senior Niko Orecchio-“Kobe embodied a character I try to live my life by. Mamba mentality really inspired me to live a no excuse lifestyle and turn my life around. It gave me confidence to suck it up and go on. His death meant a lot to me, and what happened to him, his daughter, and the seven other people was terrible”.
