Celebrities mourn the late Kobe Bryant
The tragic news of basketball legend Kobe Bryant’s death Sunday sent shockwaves over social media.
Staples Center, the home court of the Los Angeles Lakers, is already awash with fans hoping to pay their respects to the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five NBA championships, two Finals MVPs and one-regular season MVP over the course of 20 seasons with the Lakers.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued the following statement: “Kobe Bryant was a giant who inspired, amazed and thrilled people everywhere with his incomparable skill on the court — and awed us with his intellect and humility as a father, husband, creative genius and ambassador for the game he loved. He will live forever in the heart of Los Angeles and will be remembered through the ages as one of our greatest heroes. This is a moment that leaves us struggling to find words that express the magnitude of shock and sorrow we are all feeling right now, and I am keeping Kobe’s entire family in my prayers at this time of unimaginable grief.”
After his basketball career, Bryant became an entrepreneur in the world of media and entertainment and won an Academy Award for the animated film “Dear Basketball.”
At a Times panel at the Sundance Film Festival Sunday afternoon, actor Colman Domingo spoke about how many artists at the fest — including Nnamdi Asomugha, a friend of Bryant’s who departed early from the panel — were affected by the loss of the NBA star and filmmaker.
Colman Domingo, center, with Justin Simien and Tessa Thompson, comments on Kobe Bryant’s death at Sundance.
A bevy of sports stars and celebrities also mourned the fallen star and took to social media to pay their respects:
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