On the solemn occasion of the second anniversary of the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his beloved daughter, Gianna, a Los Angeles-based sculptor, Dan Medina, paid his heartfelt tribute by crafting a commemorative statue. This 160-pound sculpture was erected at the very site in Calabasas, California, where the fatal helicopter crash occurred on the fateful morning of January 26, 2020, claiming the lives of nine individuals.
The statue, a poignant representation of the NBA legend, Kobe Bryant, in his iconic Los Angeles Lakers uniform, gently placing his hand on his daughter’s shoulder, captures the essence of their unbreakable bond. Gianna is depicted holding a basketball, symbolizing her shared passion for the sport with her father.
In a touching gesture, Medina inscribed the names of all nine victims on the statue’s base, ensuring that each life lost would be forever remembered. Beneath their names, the phrase “Heroes come and go, but legends are forever” stands as a poignant reminder of the indelible legacy that Kobe and Gianna left behind.
Medina, while speaking with TMZ Sports, shared that this statue is intended as a temporary tribute, with plans to eventually remove it by sundown. However, he expressed the hope that the city would grant permission for a more permanent installation of his artistic tribute to Kobe and Gianna’s enduring memory.
The tragic incident took place as Kobe and Gianna were en route to a teen basketball tournament at Kobe’s Mamba Sports Academy near Thousand Oaks, California. Alongside them, seven other lives were lost in the accident: John Altobelli, a baseball coach at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa; his wife, Keri Altobelli; their daughter, Alyssa Altobelli; Christina Mauser, an assistant coach at Mamba Sports Academy; Payton Chester, a young player on the team; her mother, Sarah Chester; and Ara Zobayan, the pilot.
The US National Transportation Safety Board’s accident report attributed the crash to pilot error, highlighting a sequence of unfortunate decisions that led the pilot to fly into a cloud cover, ultimately resulting in disorientation. This led the pilot to believe the helicopter was ascending when, in fact, it was descending into the hill.
Kobe Bryant, during his illustrious 20-year career, spent entirely with the Lakers, achieved remarkable milestones, including five NBA championships, two scoring titles, 18 All-Star selections, and 12 All-Defensive team appearances. Alongside his wife, Vanessa, he was a doting father to four children: Gianna ‘Gigi,’ Natalia Giamante, Binka Bella, and Capri Kobe.
The statue, a testament to the enduring impact of Kobe and Gianna on the world of sports and beyond, serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost too soon but the legends that shall live forever in our hearts and memories.