Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others aboard a helicopter passed away in a crash while traveling to a basketball game on Sunday, Jan. 26. Family, coaches, teammates, fans, and anyone with a connection to the basketball legend have been shocked and scarred for life. 

The basketball world especially has been mourning the death of the icon. It came as a complete shock to everyone that knew him. 

Investigations are saying that the helicopter was flying too low for the area and was presented with incredibly dense fog. The conditions were not considered safe to fly in, especially for a helicopter. 

Reports have shown this helicopter also lacked a territorial warning system, but some are skeptical whether this would have stopped this accident from happening anyway. 

Some say they were advised not to fly. Kobe Bryant used his helicopter as one would use a car to travel quickly due to California’s horrendous traffic. This allowed him to be a part of his children’s life while he had a busy NBA schedule to take part in. Kobe’s legacy as a basketball legend will never be forgotten. 

Starting in Los Angeles, fans around the world are petitioning for the NBA Logo to be changed to a silhouette of Kobe himself. He had that profound of an impact on the league. Kobe touched people across the world. 

Moments after hearing the news, Philippine natives decided to paint a mural of Kobe and his daughter Gianna embracing one another. His daughter fully embraced his father’s legacy and even wanted to be the next star in the family. They were a special duo. 

Coming into the league straight out of high school and playing in the NBA for 20 years, Kobe was the epitome of basketball and a hard worker. 

He hated lazy people and constantly preached the benefits of the “Mamba mentality:” working as hard as possible for your goal and not settling for anything less than the best you can achieve. 

He finished with five championships, an MVP, and respect from everyone and anyone connected with the NBA. 

“Those times when you get up early and you work hard, those times when you stay up late and you work hard, those times when you don’t feel like working, you’re too tired, you don’t want to push yourself, but you do it anyway. That is actually the dream. That’s the dream.”

“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. And if you guys can understand that, then what you’ll see happen is you won’t accomplish your dreams, your dreams won’t come true; something greater will,” Kobe said in his retirement speech in 2017. 

As the world is still in shock, our thoughts and prayers go to the families of those involved. 

A tragedy like this is incomprehensible and has hit people across the world. Kobe Bryant had a truly global impact and one that no one should forget. 

As the world repairs itself from losing a hero, let’s try to be our own. 

Find your Mamba mentality, it is what Kobe taught us and it is what Kobe wants out of everyone. Success is measured by how hard you work, and Kobe was the definition of that. 

Rest In Peace Kobe. Thank you for showing us the power of hard work and determination. 

You inspire every one of us to be a better version of ourselves. 

May you, your daughter and the rest on board rest in eternal peace.