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A helicopter crash on January 26 took the lives of nine individuals, including Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
Bryant was on his way to his daughter’s basketball game, where he was planning to coach her team. Foggy conditions made it difficult to fly the helicopter, which crashed mid-Sunday afternoon in Calabasas, California.
Throughout his 20-year career, Bryant’s work ethic resulted in five championships and recognition as league MVP in 2008. His 33,643 points were third-most all time until January 25, when close friend LeBron James passed his total.
Students at Hastings High have been impacted by Bryant’s career. Senior Jack Coil credits Bryant’s teaching: “Kobe Bryant was more than a basketball player to me. He referred to the Mamba Mentality often, which gave me the confidence to be able to act tough but controlled on the court,” Coil said.
Throughout her life, Senior Mia Tillemans has always chose to wear the number 24, in a nod to Bryant.
Countless lives were touched by Bryant, as celebrities across the nation like comedian Jimmy Fallon and Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers tearfully remembered his impact.
