The news started to trickle out but it couldn’t be true. Minutes passed but it felt like hours until the worst was confirmed.
NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-yar old daughter, Gianna, along with seven others, had perished in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California. The news rocked not only the basketball world but also the entire sports community. Kobe wasn’t just a basketball player, he was the Black Mamba, he transcended basketball.
Bryant was the ultimate competitor. He had a killer instinct, a devastating step back and an unparalleled work ethic. He was a hero to many in the game and you could see that written on the faces and shoes of several Gators on the floor Tuesday night.