Orange County officials have declared August 24 the official Kobe Bryant day as he wore the numbers 8 and 24 during his career.
The basketball legend lived in Orange County, California for over 20 years and officials have decided to honor him with an annual day. The special day will fall one day after his birthday, August 23.
OC officials hope the move will encourage members of the community to continue Bryant’s legacy by inspiring others to reach their dreams and helping people in need.
In an interview with NBC, Orange County Board Don Wagner said: “Kobe Bryant’s life, like each one of us who ever lived, presents moments to celebrate and to condemn.
“Kobe, like all of us, faced challenges, challenges of his own making and challenges thrown at him by life, that he overcame. Today, we celebrate the effort in overcoming those challenges.”
Kobe and his daughter Gianna were among the victims who passed away in a helicopter crash earlier this year. They were on their way to the Mamba Academy in California when the incident happened.
Other passengers who died were pilot Ara Zobayan; basketball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, and their daughter Alyssa; Christina Mauser; Payton Chester and her mother Sarah.
Kobe was NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2008. The basketball legend was also a two-time Olympic champion and two-time NBA scoring champion.
He also won 5 NBA championships, 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, 18-time All Star, and two-time NBA Finals MVP winner.
To commemorate his life, LA Lakers wore shirts with the numbers 8 and 24 during their warmup. The players also printed the initials KB on the court and placed his jersey and GiGi’s Mamba strip on two court-side seats where they watched a game together.
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