Tag: Gianna Bryant

Gianna told Young how much she loved …

Gianna told Young how much she loved watching him play and how big of a fan she was of the Hawks’ point guard. Young told her he made it a point to watch her highlights on YouTube and Twitter. She admired Young so much that she wanted to train how he trains. It didn’t matter that her father was one of the best basketball players of all time; she wanted to be like Young. So, Gianna started training with Alex Bazzell, Young’s trainer during the offseason, in addition to her lessons from dad. Young went to one of Bryant’s camps while he was in high school. But Young’s relationship with Kobe only started blossoming in the past two years as Gianna started idolizing Young.

Charlotte Hornets President of …

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak released the following statement on the passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna: “I’m deeply saddened and shocked by today’s tragic news of the passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. I had the privilege of witnessing up close, from start to finish, Kobe’s remarkable 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. His accomplishments were truly extraordinary – a five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, two-time Olympic gold medalist and NBA MVP – and he will be remembered as one of the game’s all-time greats.”

Pat Riley: Pat Riley statement: “Kobe …

Pat Riley: Pat Riley statement: “Kobe Bryant was a Godsend to this world; not just to the NBA, but to all those who hold dear and cherish family, friends and faith. Today I mourn the tremendous loss of Kobe, his daughter, Gianna, and the other passengers. The Lord will bless Vanessa, the entire Bryant family, and all of those who lost their most precious loved ones today.”

A tearful LeBron James arrives in L.A. after tragic news about Kobe, daughter Gianna

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers was visibly devastated by the news about Kobe Bryant and his daughter’s death in a helicopter crash.

Less than 24 hours after LeBron James passed Kobe Bryant for No. 3 on the All-Time scoring list and James shared stories of a young Kobe gifting him a pair of his own shoes back when LeBron was just in high school and Bryant was a burgeoning star of back in 2001 during NBA All-Star Weekend, James was understandably shaken upon learning the news of Bryant’s shocking passing.

Bryant, as well as his 13-year old daughter Gianna, passed away in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning in Southern California. The Lakers were in transit from Philadelphia, where Bryant played high school basketball when the news of his sudden passing broke. When the Lakers arrived in Los Angeles from the flight, cameras caught LeBron visibly devastated and wiping off tears.

James, like the rest of the NBA world, is in mourning. But his connection to LeBron, especially given the timing of last night, is impossible to avoid. James has yet to release any official statements but there should be no mistake that he is completely shaken like many others around the world.

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