The sports world suffered an unthinkable loss on January 28th, when basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter accident. The news felt like a twisted lie when it broke, and when it was confirmed the whole world mourned the loss of a legend on and off the court. Kobe meant more to the sports community than simply being a great basketball player. He was the embodiment of hard work, living proof that you could accomplish anything if you had a will to succeed like the Black Mamba. He was a model for how to be a great parent, husband, and all around person. The week of his passing, NBA teams honored Bryant by taking 24 and 8 second violations to start each game, to symbolize Kobe’s old Los Angeles Lakers jersey numbers, 8 and 24. Countless tributes poured out from athletes, celebrities, and normal people alike to both mourn and celebrate the man who gave so much to the world. 

It doesn’t take long to notice the influence that Kobe had on the world. Murals flood LA honoring some of his finest moments, yellow 24 jerseys are worn all over the world, and no one can shoot a paper ball into a trash can without shouting “Kobe!” before they do it. Kobe’s legacy can certainly be felt at North Atlanta, where students are still mourning the loss of one of their idols. “I would have to say my favorite memory of Kobe was the torn achilles”, said junior Matt Love, “He tore his achilles and then returned to the game to still knock down two free throws, and the Lakers still won the game.” Other iconic Mamba moments include the 81 point game, Kobe dropping 60 in his final game, and the five championships he won as a Laker. But Kobe’s true legacy goes beyond basketball, and that’s how he wanted it. His famous “Mamba Mentality” wasn’t just about being great at the game of basketball. It’s about dominating your field, putting in the most work possible, and never letting anyone tell you what you can’t achieve. “His unmatched work ethic and dedication to the game are something to admire,” said Love, “Kobe inspires me to go out and fire on all cylinders every day.” Bryant had much bigger dreams for his life after retirement. He won an Oscar for his short film, “Dear Basketball.” He became an author, an investor, and the CEO of multimedia company Granity Studios. The way Kobe attacked his goals post-basketball is just as remarkable as what he did on the court, making his untimely death all the more gut-wrenching. The loss of Kobe, Gianna, and the seven other people on board will be one that is never forgotten, but we will always celebrate what Kobe did while he was here. We’ll miss you, Mamba.