Author of the article:
Reuters
Rory Carroll
Published Jan 26, 2022 • 2 minute read
CALABASAS — A sculpture of NBA great Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant was brought on Wednesday to the helicopter crash site where they perished alongside seven others on a hillside near Los Angeles two years ago.
Advertisement 2
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Don't have an account? Create Account
or
View more offers
Article content
The 160-pound (73-kg) bronze statue depicts the pair wearing basketball uniforms and sharing a loving glance as Gigi holds Kobe’s hand as it rests on her shoulder.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Statue of Kobe and Gigi Bryant placed at crash site on anniversary Back to video
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Sculptor Dan Medina was on hand to greet fans who made the 1.3-mile (2.1-km) hike to pay their respects to the sports legend.
“This is all on my own, no one asked me to do it,” said Medina. “On this day, the second anniversary of the accident, I decided to bring it up from sunrise to sunset and create a bit of a healing process for fans.
“Today was special because I witnessed a lot of that. People would come up and they would leave with some sort of satisfaction.”
Engraved on the statue’s steel pedestal are the names of all nine victims of the early morning crash in foggy weather on Jan. 26, 2020. It also includes an inscription of Bryant’s famous quote: “Heroes come and go, but legends are forever.”
Advertisement 3
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
A five-time NBA champion in his 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant’s death at age 41 shocked the world of professional sports and sent his legions of fans into mourning.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Gigi was 13 at the time of the crash, which occurred as they were headed to a youth basketball tournament.
Nicole Szuch-Dinets of Woodland Hills was one of the dozens of fans who made the trip to pay their respects.
“I remember when this happened. We live close and we could hear the helicopter,” she said.
“And then it popped up on my phone and we didn’t believe it. So I wanted to come out of respect and I thought this statue is beautiful.”
Tributes to Bryant by his friends, fans and former teammates poured out on social media on Wednesday.
“I know many of you are out there and you miss him and still wish to see his brilliance on the court, and what he was doing as a dad,” Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said of Bryant, who was the father of four girls and husband to Vanessa.
“It was wonderful the way he was coaching girls and getting them into the game. I hope all of you out there remember him the way you should and give your prayers to his wife and family.”
Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Create an AccountSign in
Join the Conversation
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
Trending
- Video shows driver being beaten and robbed in Thornhill
- Justin Bieber 'in a hard place mentally' following Diddy arrest
- Bo Bichette plans to move on from miserable 2024 as Blue Jays face off-season of uncertainty
- SIMMONS: How do you trust Joseph Woll now? The Maple Leafs apparently can't
- Tennis star Paula Badosa apologizes for ‘racist’ photo in Chinese restaurant
Read Next