January 26, 2025, marks the fifth anniversary of the tragic passing of NBA Legend Kobe Bryant. He passed away on January 26, 2020, in a tragic helicopter crash.
Kobe Bryant was an American professional basketball player and a shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers for his 20-year career in the NBA.
He was recognized as the top American high-school basketball player in the Philadelphia suburb of Lower Merion.
Moreover, Kobe was declared for the 1996 NBA draft, selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th Pick, and then traded to the Lakers.
Highlights
- Kobe Bryant was an American professional basketball player who played 20 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.
- Bryant was the youngest child of his father, Joe Bryant, and his mother, Pamela Cox Bryant.
- Kobe’s father Joe was former professional basketball player and coach and mother Pam is an American socialite.
Today, January 26, 2025, marks the fifth anniversary of the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash.
The incident of the Calabasas, California helicopter crash cost the lives of nine people on the board.
Later, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that it was caused by continued VFR into IMC.
The condition when an aircraft operating under visual flight rules intentionally or unintentionally enters into instrument meteorological conditions.
On the fifth anniversary of Kobe Bryant, the sports world continues to honor their memory through various tributes and reflections.
DEAR KOBE💜💛: From one legend to another, Morgan Freeman narrates a heartwarming tribute to Kobe Bryant. The NBA icon passed away five years ago today. 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/HvMI7Tn3MF
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) January 26, 2025
In a heartfelt homage, Golf icon Tiger Woods recently recounted the moment he learned of Bryant’s passing. He states,
It’s a shocker to everyone. It’s unbelievably sad, and it’s one of the more tragic days
Tiger Woods
Furthermore, actor Morgan Freeman lent his voice to narrate “Dear Kobe,” a piece inspired by Bryant’s “Dear Basketball.”
Similarly, NBA fans reminisced about his legacy and wrote a tribute to him on social media. One of the fans states,
Can’t believe it’s been 5 years since we lost the great Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant. RIP Kobe, Gigi, and all those who lost their life in that tragedy
Kobe Bryant’s Relationship With His Mother, Pam, And Father, Joe, Was Complex Though It Evolved Over Time
The NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s relationship timeline with his parents, Joe and Pam, is evident to his fans.
Their relationship development and downfall went along with tension and reconciliation. Kobe admired his father in his early years, but he struggled with Joe’s decision to move to Italy around 1982 when he was young.
One of the significant tensions between them was in 2001 when Kobe decided to marry his love of life, Venessa Laine Bryant.
Kobe married Venessa on April 18, 2004, but Bryant’s parents and siblings did not attend the wedding.
It is reported that his parents were opposed to the marriage because Kobe was young and his then-to-be wife was not African-American.
Kobe Bryant’s 2000 Lakers Championship Ring that he gifted to his parents is up for auction.
— Xtraa Mediaa (@xtraamediaa_) March 20, 2024
The highest bid is $94k pic.twitter.com/Bf46i9Krqq
Furthermore, in 2013, Kobe’s mother, Pam Cox Bryant, went to an auction house over memorabilia from his early years and had a legal disagreement with her son.
Pamela received $450K from the auction house for the item and claimed Kobe gave her the rights to the items.
However, Kobe’s attorney team asked the auction house to return the items, allowing the sale of 10%.
Later, Bryant’s parents apologized to Kobe for the misunderstanding in a written statement. They state,
We regret our actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia. We apologize for any misunderstanding and unintended pain we have caused our son and appreciate the financial support he has provided over the years.
Joe and Pamela Bryant
Kobe Bryant Was The Youngest Child And Only Son To His Father, Joe Bryant, And Mother, Pam Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, as the youngest child of his father, Joe Bryant, and his mother, Pamela Cox Bryant.
His father, Joseph Washington Bryant, was an American professional basketball player and a coach.
He played for the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets of the NBA.
Moreover, he was the head coach of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks from 2005 to 2007 and later returned in the 2011 WNBA season.
Talking about his International Career, Joe coached the Tokyo Apache of the Japanese BJ League from 2007 to 2009.
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
— ML Basketball (@_MLBasketball) July 16, 2024
Joe Bryant, the father of Kobe Bryant and former basketball star has passed away at the age of 69.
RIP Jellybean ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/LWI70oHGPo
Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe, died on July 15, 2024, at 69. It was reported that he suffered a major stroke prior to his demise.
On the other hand, Kobe Bryant’s mother, Pamela Cox Bryant, is an American socialite. She is popular for being Joe’s wife and Kobe Bryant’s mother.
In addition, she is the sister of former American professional basketball player John “Chubby” Cox.
Additional Information
- Late Kobe Bryant and Venessa Bryant have four daughters: Natalia Bryant, Late Gianna Bryant, Bianka Bryant, and Capri Bryant.
- Kobe Bryant’s older sisters are Sharia and Shaya, who are engaged in entrepreneurial paths.
- Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual assault in 2003. The charges were ultimately dropped in 2004 after the accuser declined to testify.
