One year ago on Tuesday, the world lost Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, along with seven others.
Many personalities from the sports world are using their social media accounts to pay tribute — current and former NBA and WNBA players, NFL stars, and so many more.
We’ve collected a bunch of them here and will add to them throughout the day, and that doesn’t include what Vanessa Bryant posted on Instagram early Tuesday morning, which was a beautiful letter written to her by one of Gianna’s best friends.
Here are some of the tributes we saw from around social media:
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 26, 2021
Kobe will always be my @Lakers brother for life. 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/7WC9x6h4Dl
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2021
Thank you God for allowing me enjoy Kobe Bryant for 20 years as a great basketball player, athlete, husband, father, philanthropist, mentor & teacher of the game to many men & women of all ages, best friend to Rob Pelinka, & brother to @jeaniebuss. pic.twitter.com/PgWY3wDzu6
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2021
I'll always wish I had one more conversation with Kobe. For all his greatness and everything he accomplished, his best days were still to come. My thoughts are with the family and friends of Kobe, Gianna, and all the others who were taken from us far too soon a year ago today. pic.twitter.com/SrZunsSqo1
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 26, 2021
Rest In Peace my guy…🙏🏽
Today we honor and remember you and Gigi!! pic.twitter.com/2GVoq1VQTy— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) January 26, 2021
#KobeForever pic.twitter.com/DeYcWFOCn5
— Marco Belinelli (@marcobelinelli) January 26, 2021
It’s still crazy to me that Bean and his baby girl gone 🕊🖤🙏🏿!
— Barb Turner (@BarbT22) January 26, 2021
Will NEVER get over it… Fav player EVER… Reason I started hooping… RIP Kobe & GIGI🕊💜💛🙏🏽
— Sheldon Mac (@sheldonmacc) January 26, 2021
Here’s a statement from New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu — who was is close with the Bryant family — to Yahoo Sports:
I carry Kobe and Gigi with me every day and honor their legacies through my dedication to the game. I wake up every day grateful for the platform I’ve been given and I strive to lead by example and serve as a role model for young people and especially girls to pursue sports — a platform Kobe and Gigi were passionate about. I saw the way he supported his family and his constant advocacy for women’s basketball. His encouragement and promotion of equality in sports along with his Mamba Mentality is what motivates me today.
❤️🙏🏻🏀 https://t.co/LH6aZdnes4
— Mario Hezonja (@mariohezonja) January 26, 2021
🙏🏼🙏🏼 Rest in Peace #KobeBryant #KobeGigi pic.twitter.com/9Nc9rOSsAT
— jose manuel calderon (@JmCalderon) January 26, 2021
— Zoran Dragić (@zoran_dragic) January 26, 2021
Legends never die. Rest in peace Mamba. #KobeBryant#MambaForever pic.twitter.com/HsXJ4Z8FBP
— Hidayet Türkoğlu (@hidoturkoglu15) January 26, 2021
The last year showed us life can be unpredictable & fragile.
It’s been 1 year since the deaths of Kobe Bryant, Gianna & those on board with them.
Kobe was a champion of basketball, but also of women’s sports. He was the ultimate #GirlDad.
Thinking of his loved ones today. pic.twitter.com/e5Vq7ZDqE1
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 26, 2021
Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving showed up in a Kobe jersey on Monday night:
Kyrie showed up to tonight's Nets game in a Kobe jersey 🐍🖤
(via @BrooklynNets)pic.twitter.com/2LyKp0ajl0
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 25, 2021
