How teams, athletes, and leagues have remembered Kobe and Gigi Bryant in the year since their tragic death
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One year ago today, Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, and seven others were killed in a tragic helicopter crash.
Athletes, teams, and leagues have found ways to remember the late Lakers legend and Gigi — a future basketball star in her own right — ever since.
Here's how Kobe and Gigi Bryant have been honored across the sports world in the year since their untimely death.
On January 26, 2020, the world lost one bona fide legend and another still to come.
Photos of Kobe and Gigi Bryant show how the father-daughter duo shared a deep love for the game of basketball
That morning, Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, and seven others died in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California.
Here's how the sports world has commemorated "The Black Mamba" and "Mambacita" in the year since that unforgettably tragic day.
Immediately after the accident, former teammates, basketball titans, and superstars across the sports world took to social media to express their grief.
The sports world is reacting to the sudden and tragic death of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant
Michael Jordan shared a heart-wrenching statement following his protégé's passing.
'Words cannot describe the pain I'm feeling': Michael Jordan shares emotional statement on the death of Kobe Bryant
And LeBron James was visibly distraught while boarding the Lakers' team plane.
LeBron James was seen grieving outside of Lakers' team plane after Kobe Bryant's death
And he posted an emotional tribute to the late legend.
LeBron James posts an emotional tribute to Kobe Bryant after his untimely death
Later, he and Anthony Davis got matching "Black Mamba" tattoos in Bryant's honor.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis have paid tribute to Kobe Bryant with new 'Black Mamba' tattoos on their thighs
He even made an impassioned speech before the Lakers' first game following Kobe's death.
LeBron James gave a loving eulogy to his 'brother' Kobe Bryant before the Lakers first game since tragic helicopter accident
The Lakers' video tribute that night left many at the Staples Center with misty eyes.
WATCH: Los Angeles Lakers honor Kobe Bryant with stunning video celebration of his life and career
And the franchise left two court-side seats open - with the Bryants' jerseys draped over the backs and flowers on the seats - to honor the pair.
The LA Lakers left 2 empty seats for Kobe and Gianna Bryant, and gave out 20,000 Bryant jerseys at the emotional first game since his death
Lakers great Magic Johnson saluted both of Bryant's jersey numbers for their beloved team - 8 and 24 - upon Kobe's passing.
Magic Johnson paid tribute to Kobe Bryant with both of his jersey numbers. Here is the meaning behind each one.
And Lakers owner Jeanie Buss called Bryant "family."
Lakers owner Jeanie Buss called Kobe Bryant 'family' in an emotional tribute and said he inspired her to be a strong female leader in the NBA
Former Lakers teammate Lamar Odom didn't even know how to sign his own checks before Kobe taught him.
'He taught me to sign my own checks': Kobe Bryant's ex-LA Lakers teammate Lamar Odom posted an extended, emotional tribute to his 'teacher'
Shaq was gutted.
'My spirit just left my body': Shaquille O'Neal gives an emotional speech about teammate Kobe Bryant
And like many others, Dwyane Wade described feeling as though the Bryants' death was a "bad dream."
Dwyane Wade cried in an Instagram video about Kobe Bryant's death, saying it feels like a 'bad dream that you just want to wake up from'
Fellow NBA great Tracy McGrady recalled that Kobe used to muse about wanting to "die young."
Tracy McGrady says Kobe Bryant used to tell him early in his career that he wanted to 'die young' and be 'immortalized'
After learning of Bryant's death while playing, Tiger Woods said it was "one of the more tragic days."
Tiger Woods heard cheers for Kobe Bryant while playing, but did not learn of his death until after tournament
And in the following days, teams across the NBA paid tribute to "The Black Mamba" through moments of silence, special gear, and more.
NBA teams take to court and pay tribute to basketball idol Kobe Bryant with moments of silence, special gear, and letting the shot clock run out
The Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs intentionally let the shot clock run out to start their January 26 game in honor of Bryant's No. 24 jersey.
Kobe Bryant honored by Raptors and Spurs as they let 24-second shot clock run out at the start of their game
And gamers followed suit in "NBA 2K20."
Gamers are paying tribute to Kobe Bryant in 'NBA 2K20' with custom jerseys, parades, and deliberate 24-second shot clock violations
Madison Square Garden - the most famous arena in basketball - glowed purple and gold to honor Bryant.
Madison Square Garden glows purple and gold to honor the late Kobe Bryant
Fans held impromptu memorials across the country.
Photos and videos show makeshift Kobe Bryant memorials where fans are mourning the basketball legend who was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday
And his Nike merch sold out shortly after the news of his death broke.
Kobe Bryant merchandise has sold out on Nike's website after the athlete's death
PSG star Neymar dedicated a goal to Kobe.
Neymar honored Kobe Bryant after a goal for Paris Saint-Germain following the NBA legend's death
Tennis star Nick Kyrgios arrived at his Australian Open match against Rafael Nadal the day after Kobe's death wearing his No. 8 Lakers jersey.
Nick Kyrgios walked into his match against Rafael Nadal wearing a Kobe Bryant jersey, covering his face and holding back tears
And 17-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic teared up on the court as he reflected on Bryant's mentorship role in his life.
Novak Djokovic got choked up at the Australian Open while discussing how he leaned on Kobe Bryant for advice
But Kobe wasn't the only Bryant receiving tributes.
UCONN women's basketball - the team Gigi so desperately hoped to play for someday - honored the late 13-year-old with a jersey and flowers on their bench.
UConn Huskies pay tribute to the late Gigi Bryant during an emotional matchup against the US Women's National Team
Her school retired her No. 2 jersey.
Gianna Bryant's school retired her No. 2 jersey in an emotional memorial ceremony
And Gigi became an honorary draftee - along with two of her Mamba Academy teammates who died alongside her - in the 2020 WNBA Draft.
—WNBA (@WNBA) April 17, 2020
Kobe Bryant's daughter, Gigi, and two of her Mamba Academy teammates were remembered with emotional honorary selections in the 2020 WNBA Draft
The father-daughter duo was honored together at The Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant on February 24, 2020.
Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, Jimmy Kimmel, Geno Auriemma, and Vanessa Bryant spoke, while Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera performed.
Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu — who had a close relationship with Kobe and Gigi Bryant — made NCAA history hours after eulogizing her mentor and mentee
Kobe, Gigi, and the other victims were honored at the Super Bowl.
Kobe Bryant fans missed the blink-and-you'll-miss-it tribute in the Super Bowl halftime show
And the "Girl Dad" movement became mainstream after a video of Kobe explaining how much he loved raising daughters went viral.
Kobe Bryant once told ESPN's Elle Duncan that he loved being a 'girl dad,' and now fathers are sharing photos with their daughters in solidarity
But even after the initial shock of their tragic death wore off, Kobe's legacy had a lingering impact on individual athletes.
USWNT superstar Carli Lloyd said she feels better about her eventual retirement because she watched Kobe thrive after his NBA days.
Carli Lloyd says Kobe Bryant helped put her at ease about eventual retirement because he looked 'so happy' after he quit playing
Tiger Woods honored Kobe by flicking his wrist after sinking a 24-foot, 8-inch putt at the Genesis Invitational.
Tiger Woods offered a subtle tribute to Kobe Bryant after sinking his putt on the 8th hole at the Genesis Invitational
Tom Brady said Kobe helped inspire him to continue his NFL career into his 40s.
Tom Brady says Kobe Bryant's death further cemented his goal to keep playing football into his 40s
WNBA GOAT Diana Taurasi had her most impressive game in years on Kobe Bryant's birthday while wearing his name and number.
WNBA legend Diana Taurasi had her most impressive game in years on Kobe Bryant's birthday while wearing his name and number
And Seattle Storm star Jewell Loyd - who counts herself as one of Kobe's many mentees - gave a heartfelt tribute in his honor after winning the 2020 WNBA championship.
Jewell Loyd gave a heartfelt tribute to mentor Kobe Bryant after winning the 2020 WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm
When the Lakers won the 2020 NBA Finals, tributes to Bryant came pouring in.
Los Angeles Lakers stars paid tribute to Kobe Bryant after winning team's first NBA title in 10 years: 'I know he's looking down on us'
Including a particularly impactful one from Los Angeles guard Quinn Cook.
The Lakers' Quinn Cook honored his late father and longtime idol Kobe Bryant after winning an NBA championship with the team he grew up rooting for
And during her remarkable 2020 US Open run, Naomi Osaka wore Kobe's Lakers jersey after every single match she played.
Osaka later told Insider that Kobe is someone who "gives me strength" even a full year after his death.
Naomi Osaka said late mentor Kobe Bryant still 'gives me strength' one year after his untimely death
Kobe's next chapter would have been spent elevating the women's game. Check out why recognition for WNBA players is past due:
It's time to give the women of the WNBA their flowers for the roles they play in politics and social justice
Read the original article on Insider