Today, August 24 has been named “Kobe Bryant Day” in honor of the legendary basketball player we lost earlier this year.
At the time, his presence could be seen throughout the city as New Yorkers paid tribute to him in different ways, from renaming the Bryant Park subway stop to lighting up the Empire State Building in Lakers colors.
There were also beautiful memorial murals, like the larger-than-life tribute piece created by Queens artist Efren Andaluz that sits across from the Barclays Center. Andaluz began painting the mural only a few days after the untimely deaths of 41-year-old Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. The helicopter crash also tragically killed seven others: Payton Chester, 13; Sarah Chester, 45; Alyssa Altobelli, 14; Keri Altobelli, 46; John Altobelli, 56; Christina Mauser, 38; and the helicopter’s pilot, Ara Zobayan, 50.
The sweet mural located on Pacific Street and Flatbush Avenue shows the legendary Lakers player resting his head on a basketball looking up at a smiling Gigi.
Andaluz is even selling prints of the mural today so you can have your own keepsake of it, available on his website.
Today was named “Kobe Bryant Day” by L.A. and Orange County officials to honor the basketball legend. The date — 8/24 — marks the two jersey numbers he wore during his career. It’s also the day after what would have been his 42nd birthday.
Main image source: Instagram / @emc_life_
Also published on Medium.