Sports fans spent Sunday struggling to process the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
For Tony Finau, Bryant’s death is more than the death of an icon or a personal hero, it invokes feelings he’s felt before.
Finau spoke to reporters Sunday after his final round at the Farmers Insurance Open about the death of the 41-year-old Bryant. Finau honestly answered that he was still processing it all.
“I’m a huge Kobe fan and a Laker fan single-handedly because of Kobe Bryant,” Finau said. “To have that happen to one of the greatest ever to play the game of basketball and one of the greatest athletes in sports is so tragic. I’ll be mourning with the NBA and just anyone who knew him or was impacted by him. I definitely was, and very sad, sad day for sports and just people in general…
“I’ve experienced something like this in my life before. My mom passed away in a tragic car accident in 2011. It’s crazy that some of those feelings that I had at that time are back. That’s how much Kobe meant to me at a different magnitude. The love of a mother is one that I think you can’t replace, but to have some of those feelings come back when I heard the news makes me quite sad and I’ll be mourning for him.”
Bryant and Gianna were among nine who died Sunday morning in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Bryant was flying on his personal helicopter when it crashed about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. The identities of the seven other victims have not yet been confirmed.
Bryant stands among one of the greatest athletes of all time. A Los Angeles Laker for 20 seasons, Bryant appeared in seven NBA Finals, winning five. He also won back-to-back NBA Finals MVP Awards, two Olympic gold medals and an Academy Award in 2018. Bryant ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time leading scorers list with 33,643 points— a feat that was passed by LeBron James Saturday evening.
Apart from the accolades Bryant accumulated, his trademark dedication and intensity, known as the “Mamba mentality”, are what many— including Finau— associate with the icon.
“His work ethic I think is something that will be talked about, that’s what his legacy is I think,” Finau said. “The Mamba Mentality is a book that I’ve read. I remember actually wearing his shoes out here in 2016 just giving him props for the Mamba mentality and kind of what he taught a lot of athletes in pursuing your dreams. I think his legacy for sure is one of hard work and commitment to your craft.”
On his social media through the years, Finau has made it known he’s a big fan of Bryant’s. Finau, whose cousin is Atlanta Hawks forward Jabari Parker, once wore Lakers purple and gold golf shoes during a round of the Northern Trust.
Finau finished the Farmers Insurance Open on Sunday T-6 at 10 under.
Steve DiMeglio contributed to this report.
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