3 years ago, world basketball lost one of the greatest players of all time.

On January 26, 2020 (January 27 Vietnam time), Kobe Bryant died at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash while on the way to a match. Also on that flight was her daughter Gianna, 13 years old, and her friends.

Seven other people also died, as did the pilot, who was confirmed responsible for the crash after an investigation was conducted.

3 years have passed since that day but Kobe will never be forgotten. He is the idol of a whole generation of players, who grew up watching him play, trying to imitate his moves.

Kobe Bryant is the idol of a generation of basketball players and many fans. Photo: CNN

Kobe’s death and the tragic nature of the incident made an already great legend even greater.

Bryant is the fourth highest scorer in NBA history (33,643 points), won 5 championship rings, participated in 18 All Star games, won 2 Olympic gold medals, scored 81 points in a game and 60 points on retirement day, free throws despite his injured Achilles tendon, fighting thousands of times against pain…

Bryant is likened to a demigod, an untouchable figure. But suddenly Kobe became human in the most painful way possible.

“You think he could have escaped the accident, that’s how invincible he was,” said Pau Gasol, who considered Bryant a big brother and was close to Bryant’s family after his death. ”.

At that time, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Staples Center was surrounded by thousands of fans. They left bouquets of flowers, pictures of their idols, messages and letters at the gate.

Many walls in Los Angeles were plastered with images of Kobe, while NBA games began with players trying to hold back tears.

Large images of Kobe Bryant appear a lot in Los Angeles. Photo: Marca

Meanwhile, his widow, Vanessa Bryant, tries to stay calm. She was present during the legal proceedings to admit the negligence of pilot Ara Zobayan.

She also demanded compensation after images of the accident were leaked by police and firefighters present at the scene.

Vanessa is even involved in a legal battle against her own mother, Sofia Urbieta, who is seeking compensation for being evicted from the house.

At the ceremony honoring Bryant and inducting his name into the Hall of Fame in May 2021, NBA legend Michael Jordan gave a speech in which he said: “When Kobe died, a part of me died too “.