EAST NEW YORK, Brooklyn (PIX 1) — Four years after the somber day Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others died in a helicopter crash, a school in East New York honored the NBA legend with a tribute basketball game in his honor.
The game started with a moment of silence and prayer, parents and students came together for a tribute basketball game Friday at Salve Regina Catholic Academy — honoring Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna four years after they died in a tragic helicopter crash.
“It’s fostering family community, and create some memories and some times and bonds for them, some laughs, some jokes,” said organizer Brandon Morel.
The memory of their loss hits hard for Ryan Basdeo who’s been a fan of the late NBA legend for as long as he can remember.
“His passing impacted me big,” Basdeo said. “I didn’t believe it at first. I remember the day it happened I was at work and I felt like I couldn’t do anything.”
He dribbled up and down the court sporting his favorite Kobe jersey, honoring his legacy.
“His training mentality, obviously the mamba mentality, that took me and made me want to be better,” said Basdeo.
The game went beyond the court intending to strengthen bonds between parents and their children. Basdeo hit the court going head-to-head with his 8-year-old son Jonathan.
“I never get to see him that much because he goes to work,” Jonathan Basdeo said.
The game served as a reminder of the lasting impact Kobe left on the world of sports and beyond, as the third grader hopes to one day become an NBA superstar — following in the footsteps of the late basketball icon.
“I really want to shoot like him. I like his confidence,” Jonathan said. This is the second annual event held at the school and staff are hoping to continue the tribute game for years to come.
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