Yesterday afternoon (January 26th, 2020), the world was shocked by the announcement that NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant had passed away. At first, many believed the breaking news to be a celebrity death hoax. Sadly, the news was confirmed when ESPN and other credible news sites started covering the untimely departure. The NBA Legend and eight others died unexpectedly when their helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California. All nine helicopter passengers were on their way to Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy. Following Kobe Bryant’s death, the NBA has announced that the former Laker will be inducted into the NBA 2020 Hall of Fame.
Bryant will be introduced with Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, in the NBA Hall of Fame class of 2020. The official list of inductees will be announced in April later this year. The official Hall of Fame ceremony will be held in August in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Prior to the posthumous introduction, Bryant had been a contender for the 2020 HOF class.
HOF chairman and former USA Basketball Director Jerry Colangelo announced to the world that Kobe Bryant will be first-ballot enshrinement into the NBA HOF class of 2020.
Kobe Bryant will be a first-ballot enshrinement into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2020.
“Expected to be arguably the most epic class ever with Kobe, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett,” HOF chairman Jerry Colangelo says. “Kobe will be honored the way he should be.”
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 27, 2020
NBA 2K20 & Reddit
In commemoration of Kobe’s passing, Visual Concepts has updated NBA 2K20 with a picture of the Laker’s legend. When the game boots up, players see a black and white picture of Black Mamba. A member of the Reddit NBA 2K community has put out a call to arms to remember Kobe.
Kobe Bryant’s Legacy
Kobe Bryant retired from the Lakers in 2016 as a five-time NBA champion, 11-time All-NBA first-team selection, 2008 MVP, two-time Finals MVP, 18-time All-Star and four-time All-Star MVP. He spent his twenty-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Outside of the NBA, Bryant won two Olympic Gold medals in Basketball. He won both medals with the USA Basketball team, one at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the other at the 2012 London Olympics. He also won a Gold medal at the 2007 Las Vegas FIBA Americas Championship.
Sources: USA Today & mp1st.com
