Skip to content

Kobe Bryant: Los Angeles Lakers legend remembered in emotional Hall of Fame inductions

Kobe Bryant was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; the five-time NBA champion died last year aged 41 in a helicopter crash; Bryant's widow Vanessa offered an acceptance on his behalf as presenter Michael Jordan stood nearby

By Reuters

Sunday 16 May 2021 09:01, UK

Kobe Bryant joined the NBA straight out of high school and would go on to enjoy one of the most decorated careers in the history of the sport
Image: Kobe Bryant joined the NBA straight out of high school and would go on to enjoy one of the most decorated careers in the history of the sport

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was inducted posthumously to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, as the class of 2020 was enshrined after months of delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The five-time NBA champion died last year aged 41 in a helicopter crash alongside his daughter and seven others, shocking the world of professional sport and sending his legions of fans into mourning.

Bryant's widow Vanessa, who started dating Kobe when she was 17, offered an acceptance on his behalf as presenter Michael Jordan stood nearby.

"Dear Kobe, thank you for being the best husband and father you could possibly be," she said. "Thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you for all of your hard work."

Michael Jordan escorts Vanessa Bryant off the stage after Bryant's late husband, Kobe Bryant, was enshrined as part of the 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame class
Image: Michael Jordan escorts Vanessa Bryant off the stage after Bryant's late husband, Kobe Bryant, was enshrined as part of the 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame class
An image of Kobe Bryant is projected on a video screen above the stage as Ne-Yo, lower left, sings "Incredible,"
Image: An image of Kobe Bryant is projected on a video screen above the stage as Ne-Yo, lower left, sings "Incredible,"

The 18-time All-Star joined the NBA straight from high school and would go on to enjoy one of the most decorated careers in the history of the sport, claiming NBA Finals MVP honours twice and earning the adoration of fans for his larger-than-life persona.

Trending

Twitter This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.
Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once

Bryant, the fourth-highest scorer in league history with 33,643 points, grew up idolising the five-time league MVP Jordan and the two superstars' careers overlapped by a handful of years.

"Kobe would thank all of the people who helped him get here, including the people that doubted him and the people who worked against him and told him he couldn't attain his goals ... after all, he proved you wrong," said Bryant, prompting a grin from Jordan.

Also See:

(L to R) Rudy Tomjanovich, Kim Mulkey, Tim Duncan, and Vanessa Bryant, representing the late Kobe Bryant, look at their Hall of Fame trophies after the enshrinement of the 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame class
Image: (L to R) Rudy Tomjanovich, Kim Mulkey, Tim Duncan, and Vanessa Bryant, representing the late Kobe Bryant, look at their Hall of Fame trophies after the enshrinement of the 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame class

Other honourees in the 2020 class included 10-time Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medallist Tamika Catchings, 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett and three-time NBA Finals MVP Tim Duncan.

The ceremony at the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, was postponed from August 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Around Sky

Other Sports

Not got Sky? Get instant to Sky Sports with NOW

Football

Get Sky Cinema