Thousands attend memorial for Kobe Bryant(10 images)
Thousands of friends, family and fans paid tribute to NBA icon Kobe Bryant and his daughter, 13- year-old Gianna Bryant, who were killed with seven others in a helicopter crash. Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal were among the speakers at the celebration of life at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where Bryant spent his career playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, on February 24, 2020.
Former NBA star Michael Jordan gave a tearful tribute, saying Kobe Bryant was a like a little brother to him. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Images of Kobe and Gianna Bryant light up the Jumbotron during the memorial. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Vanessa Bryant gives an emotional remembrance of her husband and daughter. "They were funny, happy, silly, and they loved life," she said. "God knew they couldn't be on this earth without each other. He had to bring them home to heaven together." Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Vanessa Bryant is is helped offstage by Michael Jordan after she spoke. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
About 20,000 attendees were ticketed for the service. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Alicia Keys plays Beethoven's"Moonlight Sonata" on the piano. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Christina Aguilera sings "Ave Maria" in Italian. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Head coach of the University of Connecticut Huskies women's basketball team Geno Auriemma said Bryant and Gianna are inspirations to many. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
LA Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka told a story of how Bryant's last human act was "heroic," texting him to help a young girl's future. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Jimmy Kimmel says "I don't think any of us could have imagined this." Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
