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Breanna Robinson

Celebrities and loved ones pay touching tribute to Kobe Bryant on his birthday

Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles in the fourth quarter during the game against the Chicago Bulls on November 19, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

(Picture: Getty Images)

The late Kobe Bryant continues to be revered as one of the most beloved players to grace the basketball court.

In January 2020, Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

And on what would have been his 43rd birthday, the Hall of Famer is getting all the praise and love.

Former teammates took to social media to pay tribute, along with other sports stars, and family members.

“Happy birthday, Papi. Te Amo por siempre. Amor Eterno 43,” wrote Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow.

“Happy Birthday Daddy,” wrote Bryant’s eldest daughter Natalia, who will be attending the University of Southern California (USC) in the fall.

“Happy Birthday, brother,” wrote Carmelo Anthony of The Lakers wrote.

Shaquille O’Neal also took to his Instagram Story to post a picture with a happy birthday message.

Check out some other responses from fans, sports news outlets, and the Lakers team itself.

Bryant was someone that many looked up to. When we watch the NBA, we can see exactly how much his legacy inspired the new generation of players today.

His impact also transcends his skills on the basketball court as he dabbled in film. In 2018, his short film Dear Basketball earned him the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

The film was based on a letter Bryant wrote for The Players’ Tribune in November 2015 that announced his basketball retirement.

Bryant had many plans for retirement, which he, unfortunately, didn’t get to see through.

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