Dear Basketball, 

From the moment

I started rolling my dad’s tube socks

And shooting imaginary

Game-winning shots

In the Great Western Forum

I knew one thing was real: 

I fell in love with you. 

A love so deep I gave you my all — 

From my mind & body 

To my spirit and soul. 

As a six-year-old boy

Deeply in love with you 

I never saw the tunnel. 

I only saw myself 

Running out of one. 

And so I ran. 

I ran up and down every court 

After every loose ball for you. 

You asked for my hustle 

I gave you my heart

Because it came with so much more. 

I played through the sweat and hurt

Not because challenges called me

But because YOU called me. 

I did everything for YOU

Because that’s what you do 

When someone makes you feel as

Alive as you’ve made me feel. 

Dear Kobe, 

From the moment we saw you step upon the world’s stage, joining the NBA straight out of high school, one thing was for real:

the world fell in love with you. 

As you gave basketball your all, we gave you all of our attention, watching you win five NBA championships, make 18 All-Star teams, win an MVP award, two scoring titles, an Oscar for your film, two Olympic gold medals and make the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 33,643 points. 

You ran not only on the Laker court, but on the global court. Your “Mamba Mentality,” one of extreme focus, determination, drive, and hustle, touched humanity. 

You taught kids around the world, not only with your character, but with your actions and service. You traveled to China and taught kids to play basketball, teaching them the rules – and then how to be imaginative and creative with the game. You visited them every year from 2001 to 2015. You were challenged by the sport, but you challenged the world. You brought life to basketball globally. You gave life to those who wished to be like you. 

You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream

And I’ll always love you for it. 

But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer. 

This season is all I have left to give. 

My heart can take the pounding

My mind can handle the grind

But my body knows it time to say goodbye. 

And that’s OK. 

I’m ready to let you go. 

I want you to know

So we can both savor every moment we have left together. 

The good and the bad. 

We have given each other

All that we have. 

And we both know, no matter what I do next

I’ll always be that kid

With the rolled up socks

Garbage can in the corner

:05 seconds on the clock

Ball in my hands. 

5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1

Love you always, 

Kobe

Your Laker dream came true and you left a legacy. The Lakers plan to build a statue of you in front of the Staples Center…to display your eternal footprint upon the game. 

You were taken from us too soon. You finished your life’s season, and as a result, we have to say goodbye to you. Our hearts and our minds are at loss. 

It’s not okay that you were taken. It’s not okay that we are losing your light, the light of your beautiful daughter, Gianna, and the lights of those who died with you in that fatal crash. 

But we will live in your legacy. With the gifts you have left us, the change you have made in impactful organizations such as After School All-Stars, Aid Still Required, Cathy’s Kids Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Stand Up to Cancer, Vijay Amritraj Foundation, the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, and your Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.  

You changed our society. You changed the game of basketball. In your passing, we will remember you always as the definition of hard work, drive, and commitment. We will remember you as a figure of love, one for your family and one for the world. 

5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 – just like that you were gone. But you will be with us forever.

Rest in power. 

Love you always, 

The world