The unofficial remembrance of Bryant, nicknamed "Black Mamba," is every Aug. 24 -- 8/24. The numbers are a nod to the two jersey numbers Bryant wore during his 20-year career with the Lakers. Both numbers were retired by the Lakers in 2017, the year after he retired. Bryant, who would have turned 44 Tuesday, is the first NBA player to have two numbers retired by the same team.
Bryant wore No. 8 from 1996 to 2006, then switched to 24.
Bryant was a career-long Laker, winning five NBA titles and playing in 18 All-Star Games. He finished his illustrious career as the storied franchise's all-time leader in games (1,346), minutes played (48,637), field goals (11,719) 3-point goals (1,827), points (33,643) and other team records.
A mural honoring Kobe Bryant was unveiled Aug. 24, 2022 in downtown Los Angeles.
Where is the new Kobe Bryant mural?
The new outdoor mural measuring 125 feet-by-32 feet is at the offices of the West Coast Trial Lawyers at 1147 S. Hope St. in downtown Los Angeles. Mural artist Odeith and L.A.-based illustrator Nikkolas Smith created the work which they called the largest portrait of Bryant in the city.
The mural depicts a close-up of Bryant's face, in black-and-white, in the middle, flanked by a mamba snake on the left and, in color, a group of children -- including Gianna -- playing basketball atop a giant book. The book is "Epoca," one of the children's stories Bryant created through his Granity Studios company after he retired from basketball.
The mural is designed to highlight both Bryant's fiery competitive nature and his gentler side, according to a spokesman for the artists.
"Kobe Bryant created stories for children that featured Black and Brown characters, so he inspired kids in ways that went even beyond what he did on the basketball court," Smith told City News Service. "It was an honor to make this mural, a dedication to Kobe and his creative and athletic genius."
What else is planned for Mamba Day?
The Pacific Park Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier will be illuminated Wednesday with the numbers 8 and 24 and Lakers colors. The light show will feature patterns and transitions.
Sunset is scheduled for 7:29 p.m.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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.
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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.
