Fans in attendance at the Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers game will receive a commemorative jersey in honor of the late Kobe Bryant. Jerseys with both of his numbers - 24 and 8 - will be given to fans at their seats.
On January 26, Bryant died at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash, along with his daughter Gianna. A professional basketball player in the NBA since 1996, when he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets, Bryant is recognized as one of the most accomplished and talented players in NBA history. In fact, his accomplishments transcended basketball. Bryant won an Oscar in 2018 at the 90th Academy Awards for his animated short film, Dear Basketball. It’s based on poem Bryant wrote about his personal experiences, which he narrates, and it ultimately serves as a touching memoriam for his talents. Another touching nod to the late basketball player comes in the form of a gift to fans at a January 31 Lakers game in Los Angeles.
USA Today senior video producer Sandy Hoopers posted two photos on her Twitter, revealing the jersey-clad seats at the Staples Center in LA. Half of the fans will receive a Lakers jersey with the number 24 on it, while the other half with receive a Lakers jersey with the number 8. According to ESPN, Bryant first took the number 8 in honor of his Adidas camp number. However, he then switched to 24 in 2006, because it was his first jersey number in high school.
There has been an endless outpouring of support in the wake of Bryant’s death, from celebrities to fans to fellow basketball players. A standout tribute to his memory came in the form of the video game NBA 2K20, which adjusted the game so that the first thing that players see upon opening it is a black-and-white memorial to Bryant. Within the game, players incorporated their own forms of tributes, some by performing 24-second shot clock violations, in honor of his number, and others taking a screenshot of players all wearing purple and yellow, the team colors of the LA Lakers.
It’s difficult for anyone to put into words how devastating a loss like this feels, but, if nothing else, the tributes are touching reminders of how important Bryant was to so many people. The display of his jerseys is a simple, but powerful image to honor his memory - especially in a place that will always be remembered as “The House that Kobe Built.”
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Source: Sandy Hooper, ESPN
