Memphis Grizzlies rookie Ja Morant honored Kobe Bryant after the 18-time NBA All-Star died tragically Sunday morning in a helicopter crash just outside of Los Angeles, California.
Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and seven others, were traveling to an AAU basketball game when the helicopter crashed in the Los Angeles suburb of Calabasas.
Bryant was a five-time NBA champion, 18-time NBA All-Star 2008 MVP and an 11-time All-NBA First Team selection during his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The loss of Bryant was immediately felt across the world as his impact reached far deeper than the game of basketball. Dozens of current and former NBA players shared their reactions to the news, including Morant.
The second overall explained to told reporters Sunday night what his No. 24 signed Bryant jersey meant to him after growing up watching the Lakers as a youngster, via Drew Hill of the Daily Memphian.
Growing up, AAU, eight-years-old, that’s who I watched: Lakers vs. Celtics to watch Kobe. I used to shoot, like every kid when you were young, if you had anything you had to throw in the trash, you’d shoot it and say, ‘Kobe!’ That’s all I grew up watching. That’s my guy. It’s sad today. … The jersey, he signed it for me … some personal plans but it was as simple as that. [He was] somebody I grew up watching since I was younger.
Ja Morant on the tragic loss of Kobe Bryant:
“Growing up, AAU, 8 years old, that’s who I watched. Lakers vs. Celtics, to watch Kobe. Shoot, I feel like every kid, when you were young if you had anything to throw in the trash you would shoot it and say ‘Kobe!’” pic.twitter.com/IL2g5UoA93
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) January 27, 2020
Morant detailed how difficult it was to play on Sunday just hours after learning the news. The rookie told FOX Sports Southeast that the team had to find a way to manufacture the energy to play and keep each other’s spirits up leading up the start of the game.
The Grizzlies defeated the Phoenix Suns, 114-109.
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