Kobe Bryant's Most Youthful Off The Court Moments We Forgot About

Source: Barry King / Getty

Today is a sad day for sports, Los Angeles and the world as whole. The legendary and incomparable Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas Sunday morning, along with his 13-year old daughter Gianna and seven other passengers who were all on their way to the Mamba Academy for a basketball practice when the crash occurred.

ESPN:

Those aboard the helicopter also included another player and parent. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a news conference later Sunday that there were no survivors and according to the flight manifest there were nine people on board the helicopter. Los Angeles County fire chief Daryl Osby says authorities will not release names of victims until they are identified and next of kin notified.

Fans immediately rushed to Staples Center in Los Angeles where Kobe broke records and inspired an entire city for over 20 years and famously retired in 2016. Ironically, the Staples Center is the same place where the 2020 Grammy Awards are taking place tonight.

Those who knew, loved and admired MAMBA took to social media to express their shock and condolences.

Shaquille O’Neal

Drake

Meek Mill

John Legend

Kevin Hart

Just the night before, Kobe made headlines as Lebron James surpassed him on the NBA’s Top Scorers list, making Bryant number two.

Reports say that Lebron and the Lakers found out about Kobe’s death while on the team plane back to LA. Footage of the team arriving at LAX showed Lebron breaking down in tears shortly after hearing the news. 

https://twitter.com/12SportsAZ/status/1221558341236748288

Kobe has been many people’s favorite player since entering the league in 1996. We’ve seen hip, young Kobe.

And we’ve seen Mamba, the family/ business man, all grown up.

Source: Andrew D. Bernstein / Getty

Rest in peace to Kobe, Gianna and everyone aboard the the helicopter. Condolences to Vanessa, her and Kobe’s three daughters and the families of everyone else we lost today.  In honor of #MambaForLife,  let’s take a look at some of the moments when Kobe wasn’t in game mode and before he was the GOAT.  Hit the flip to see some young, fun, KB moments.

When he guest starred on “All That”

Remember when he took Brandy to prom in 1998?

Let’s not forget the time he and Tyra Banks performed one of his songs, live!

Kobe played in his first All Star Game at just 19 years old in 1998 — becoming the youngest starter in All Star Game history.

The time he made his first acting appearance on the short-lived 90’s sitcom Hang Time.

That one time he did a mixtape series with his sister.