Athletes Around The World Made A Subtle And Fitting Tribute To Kobe Bryant
From the basketball court to tennis tournaments
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 26: Nike shoes worn by Jaxson Hayes #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans memorializing former NBA player Kobe Bryant are pictured during a game against the Boston Celtics at the Smoothie King Center on January 26, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
The world has been shaken over the past days following the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash over Calabasas, California. Known as a legend of the NBA and a loving father and husband, his spirit and charisma garnered a global fanbase so when the news was announced, friends, family and fans flooded social media and beyond with loving tributes.
The 2020 Grammy Awards served as the platform of musical tributes from Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men and Lizzo, while Twitter and Instagram was flooded with love from celebrities including Barack Obama, Snoop Dogg, John Legend and more. During Sunday games for the NBA a moment of silence was given and the New Orleans Pelicans and the Boston Celtics started the game by each taking 24-second shot-clock violations in honour of Kobe Bryant’s no. 24 jersey. A Hawks player, Trae Young, paid tribute to Bryant by wearing No. 8 to the game before leading the team to victory. But not exclusive to the basketball court, in fact seen halfway across the world at the tennis Australian Open in Melbourne were athletes making a nod to the passed athlete.
Tennis players Coco Gauff and Caty McNally were seen with permanent marker scribbled onto their shoes to read “KOBE”, “Mamba Mentality” and “#24.” Closer to the US, the likes of Trae Young, Montrezl Harrell, Lonzo Ball and Marcus Morris Sr. were seen with similar phrases adorned on their sneakers. A subtle yet fitting tribute to the basketball player. Nick Kyrigos also took to the Australian Open on Monday evening for his explosive match-up with Rafael Nadal, wearing a Lakers jersey for his warm up.
See the sneaker tributes below.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: A detail shot of the shoes of Coco Gauff of the United States that pay tribute to NBA star Kobe Bryant during her third round match Women's doubles match against Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara of Japan on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 26: Nike shoe worn by Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans memorializing former NBA player Kobe Bryant who was killed in a helicopter crash are pictured as he warms up before a game against the Boston Celtics at the Smoothie King Center on January 26, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 26: Nike shoes worn by Josh Hart #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans memorializing former NBA player Kobe Bryant are pictured during a game against the Boston Celtics at the Smoothie King Center on January 26, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 26: The shoes worn by Anfernee Simons #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers honoring the passing of former NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Moda Center on January 26, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 26: The shoes of Marcus Morris Sr. #13 of the New York Knicks are seen during a free throw at Madison Square Garden on January 26, 2020 in New York City.Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was killed earlier today in a helicopter crash.Several players wore messages on their shoes.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 26: A view of the shoes worn by Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks with Kobe Bryant's name written on them in his memory prior to facing the Washington Wizards at State Farm Arena on January 26, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 26: A detail of Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers shoes memorializing former NBA player Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash earlier today, prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on January 26, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 26: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors wears shoes with Kobe Bryant's name written on them during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during first half action at AT&T Center on January 26, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash earlier today. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that ,by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
