Kobe Bryant

Tears, Laughter, and Embraces Punctuate Somber Kobe and Gianna Bryant Memorial at Staples Center

"Gianna had so much to offer this world," Vanessa Bryant said. "I cannot imagine life without her. Every day I love you."

Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images Watch Live: The official memorial ceremony for former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, Monday at Staples Center.

Amid tears, laughs and cheers, memories flowed through Staples Center Monday as the NBA, the city and the world bade a formal farewell to Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, one month after the helicopter crash that claimed their lives.

Walking onto a stage adorned with thousands of roses, Bryant's wife, Vanessa, made her first public appearance since her husband and daughter died along with seven other people in the Calabasas crash. She gave a tearful, powerful tribute to them both, painting a picture of her world-famous husband as a loving husband and family man.

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Singer, Beyonce performs during the Kobe Bryant Memorial Service on Feb. 24, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.
Jimmy Kimmel speaks during a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa Bryant speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Vanessa Bryant is helped off the stage by former NBA player Michael Jordan after speaking during a celebration of life for her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Former Los Angeles Lakers watch during a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Kobe Bryant’s parents Joe and Pam Bryant arrive for a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Diana Taurasi speaks during The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Mark Parker attends The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
US basketball executive Rob Pelinka speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
US musician Alicia Keys performs during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry and others during The Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on Feb. 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
US-Italian basketball coach Geno Auriemma speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Retired US basketball player Michael Jordan cries as he speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Retired US basketball player Shaquille O’Neal speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. – Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Christina Aguilera performs during a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Jerry West and Steve Ballmer attend The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
LL Cool J attends The Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on Feb. 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez depart after The Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on Feb. 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

"I couldn't see him as a celebrity nor just an incredible basketball player. He was my sweet husband and the beautiful father of our children,'' Vanessa said. "He was mine. He was my everything. Kobe and I had been together since I was 17 and a half years old. I was his first girlfriend, his first love, his wife, his best friend, his confidante and his protector. He was the most amazing husband. Kobe loved me more than I could ever express or put into words.

"... I have no idea how I deserved a man that loved and wanted me more than Kobe,'' she said. "He was charismatic, a gentleman. He was loving, adoring and romantic. He was truly the romantic one in our relationship. I looked forward to Valentine's Day and our anniversaries every year.''

Bryant's number 8 and 24 jerseys were illuminated in the Staples Center rafters as Vanessa spoke of his legacy.

"We had always talked about how we would be the fun grandparents to our daughters' children,'' she said. "He would have been the coolest grandpa. Kobe was the MVP of girl-dads, or MVD. He never left the toilet seat up. He always told the girls  how beautiful and smart they are. He taught them how to be brave and how to keep pushing forward when things get tough.''

Vanessa described her daughter, Gianna, as a loving teen with a smile that filled her face, and who never left the house or came home with kissing her mother.

"She gave the best hugs and the best kisses,'' she said. "She had gorgeous soft lips like her daddy. She would hold me and hug me so tight. I could feel her love me.''

Vanessa Bryant noted that her daughter, while hailed for her basketball talent, was also great at gymnastics, soccer, softball and dancing.

"Gigi would have mostly likely become the best player in the WNBA,'' she said. "She would have made a huge difference for women's basketball. Gigi was motivated to change the way everyone viewed women in sports. She wrote papers in school defending women and wrote about how the unequal pay difference of the NBA and WNBA leagues wasn't fair.''

Vanessa Bryant said Gianna was a "beautiful, kind, happy, silly, thoughtful and loving daughter and sister. She was so full of life and had so much more to offer this world. I cannot imagine life without her.''

A large crowd of spectators are waiting to enter the Staples Center to pay their respects. (NBCLA)
A fan holds up a branded scarf honoring Kobe Bryant outside of the Staples Center.(Photo by Toni Guinyard)
Fans and supporters had been wait outside the Staples Center since 8:30, looking to pay their respects in the memorial. (Photo by Toni Guinyard)
Security patrol the area and help maintain a peaceful entrance into the memorial. (Photo by Toni Guinyard)
A Kobe memorial on the streets of Pico Boulevard and Figueroa Street is adorned with flowers and offerings from fans. (NBCLA)
A "Celebration of Life" memorial sign welcomes mourning fans around the world. (NBCLA)
A fan wears a shirt with the best moments between Kobe and Gigi Bryant. (Photo by Toni Guinyard/Courtesy)
Inside the stadium, attendees of the Kobe memorial are given a program book with photos of Kobe and Gigi. (Photo by Toni Guinyard/Courtesy)

She lamented that she would not be able to see her daughter grow up.

"I won't be able to tell her how gorgeous she looks on her wedding day,'' she said. "I'll never get to see my baby girl walk down the aisle, have a father-daughter dance with her daddy, dance on the dance floor with me or have babies of her own.''

The emotion-packed event began with a performance by Beyonce, who sang a rendition of her song ``Halo,'' followed by a highlight reel of Bryant's career, which began as an 18-year-old phenom out of high school and earned him five NBA titles.

Late-night television host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel emceed the memorial, often fighting back tears of his own.

"I don't think any of us could have imagined this,'' Kimmel said.

"Everywhere you go, you see his face, his number, Gigi's face, Gigi's number.

Everywhere at every intersection, there are hundreds of murals that were painted by artists who were inspired, not because he is a basketball player, but because Kobe was an artist too.''

WNBA player Diana Taurasi spoke about Kobe's tenacity and Gianna's skills.

"The same passion we all recognized in Kobe, obviously, Gigi inherited. Her skill was undeniable at an early age,'' Taurasi said. "Gigi in many ways represents the future of women's basketball.''

The ceremony attracted a who's-who of basketball and entertainment greats, including Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Tim Duncan, Dwyane Wade, Steph Curry, Rick Fox, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.

Jordan spoke about the brief career overlap he enjoyed with Kobe.

Jordan described Kobe as a little brother who would try to converse with him at all hours of the night.

Attendees said they admired both the family's skill at basketball and their faith. Gene Kang reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020.

"He wanted to be the best basketball player that he could be, and as I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be,'' Jordan said with tears streaming down his face. "To do that, you have to put up with the aggravation, the late-night calls or the dumb questions. I took great pride as I got to know Kobe Bryant. ... He was just trying to be a better person. We talked about business, we talked about family, we talked about everything.

"In retirement, he seemed so happy, he found new passions and he continued to give back as a coach and his community,'' Jordan said. "More importantly, he was an amazing dad, amazing husband. Kobe never left anything on the court, and I think that's what he would want for us to do.''

O'Neal, Bryant's former teammate, acknowledged Kobe's talents and the historic championship run they went on with the Lakers from 2000 to 2002.

"Kobe was a loyal friend and a true renaissance man,'' O'Neal said. "As many of you know, Kobe and I had a very complex relationship throughout the years, but not unlike another leadership duo, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, whose creative rivalry led to some of the greatest music of all time. Kobe and I pushed one another and played some of the greatest basketball of all time, and I am proud that no other team has accomplished what the three-peat Lakers have done since Shaq and the Kobe Lakers did it.''

The two-hour ceremony also featured performances by Christina Aguilera and Alicia Keys, and it closed with a screening of Bryant's Oscar-winning short film, "Dear Basketball.''

The ceremony was chosen to be on Feb. 24 in honor of Bryant's number 24 and Gianna's number 2.

Ticket prices for the memorial ranged from $24.02 to $224. The ticket prices were also set in recognition Kobe and Gianna's jersey numbers.

Everyone in attendance received shirts that had photos of Bryant and his daughter. Fans traveled from across the region to attend the event.

"I think this will bring closure to a lot of people in Los Angeles,'' one fan said as he waited to enter Staples Center.

"We're huge Kobe Bryant fans,'' another fan said about 8:30 a.m. "We love Kobe.''

All proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier will honor Bryant on its 90-foot-tall Ferris Wheel by featuring "LA (loves) 24'' and "LA (loves) 8'' along with displays of gold and purple colors in a variety of patterns and transitions, from sunset to midnight.

And LAX tweeted Sunday that its pylons "will once again be lit in purple and gold'' Monday night in honor of Bryant.

NBCLA
From top-left, clockwise: Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli and pilot Ara Zobayan, died on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, after the helicopter they traveled in crashed in Los Angeles.
Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers leaves the court after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 14, 2014 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bryant passed Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list with a free throw during the second quarter.
Getty Images
ORLANDO, FL – JUNE 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles with his wife Vanessa and his daughters Natalia and Gianna after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. Kobe and Gianna tragically died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, Jan. 26, 2020. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during the post game news conference with daughters Natalia and Gianna Bryant as he celebrates after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 29: Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on November 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
OCC
This undated photo released by Orange Coast College shows its head baseball coach John Altobelli. The Altobelli family has confirmed that John Altobelli, his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa were among those killed in the helicopter crash with NBA icon Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in Calabasas, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Alyssa played on the same team as Gianna, said Altobelli’s brother Tony, who is the sports information director at the school. (Orange Coast College via AP)
John Altobelli, Wife Keri and Daughter Alyssa
Just as Bryant was passionate about basketball, John Altobelli had a deep love for the game of baseball. He coached at Orange Coast College. He was with the program for 27 years, leading the Pirates to four state titles en route to more than 700 career wins. Last year, he was the American Baseball Coaches Association as an ABCA/Diamond National Coach of the Year. Wife Keri and daughter Alyssa also were killed in Sunday's crash.
Family Photo
Payton played basketball with Bryant's daughter Gianna. Family members said she loved playing the game and described Sarah as the heart of their family.

Courtesy of Margaret Bray
Ara Zobayan, described as an experienced instructor and charter pilot who had flown celebrities like Kylie Jenner and her niece Dream and Lorenzo Lamas, was at the helm of the helicopter as it traveled to Newbury Park where the girls aboard were to have a basketball tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy. He and all aboard, including Kobe Bryant and his daughter, perished in the crash Jan. 26, 2020.
Christina Mauser was a girls basketball coach at a nearby private elementary school. She is survived by her husband, who founded a popular Orange County band, and three young children. Her husband said she worked with Bryant at a clinic at Mamba Sports Academy.

Along with Bryant and his daughter, also killed in the crash were:

-- John Altobelli, 56, longtime coach of the Orange Coast College baseball team, along with his wife, Keri, 46, and their 13-year-old daughter Alyssa, who was a teammate of Gianna on Bryant's Mamba Sports Academy basketball team;

-- Sarah Chester, 45, and her 13-year-old daughter Payton, who also played with Gianna and Alyssa;

-- Christina Mauser, 38, one of Bryant's assistant coaches on the Mamba Academy team; and

-- Ara Zobayan, 50, the helicopter pilot.

Major streets -- such as Pico and Olympic boulevards – near Staples Center will remain open, but smaller streets outside Staples Center and LA Live will be blocked off and accessible only to people with tickets. Gene Kang reports for Today in LA on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020.  
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