NBA legend Kobe Bryant is set to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in an emotional ceremony tonight.
Ahead of his enshrinement, Kobe's widow Vanessa posed with a picture of the star that is part of a special tribute memorial to the Laker legend.
It comes over a year after the NBA legend, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others went down on January 26, 2020, in the California city of Calabasas.
On Friday, Vanessa uploaded a photograph with the caption "love you always," showing her posing with a large black and white photo of Kobe.
She later went on to publish photographs of the couple's daughters, Bianka and Capri at different points of "Daddy's Hall of Fame exhibit."
The exhibit held various Bryant jerseys, from his time with the Lakers, as well as screens showing video footage of the legend.
The Bryant family chose fellow basketball legend Michael Jordan to be the one to do the honor.
Jordan tearfully spoke for more than 11 minutes at the memorial for Bryant and his daughter Gianna in Los Angeles in February 2020.
- Jon Rogers
FIREFIGHTERS WHO SHARED CHOPPER CRASH PICS TO BE FIRED
TWO firefighters in LA will be sacked for allegedly sharing horrific photos of the bodies of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi.
A third firefighter at the Los Angeles County Fire Department will also be suspended after the trio shared the pictures with their wives and girlfriends, according to court documents.
The disclosure was made by lawyers for the late basketball star's wife, Vanessa Bryant, in court documents related to her privacy lawsuit, NBC News reports.
Last month, Vanessa landed a court victory in being able to name four of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies who allegedly took and shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash.
The names of the cops were revealed when she posted images of lawsuit documents she filed against Los Angeles County, the Sheriff’s Department, the County Fire Department, and the deputies in question.
Read the full details here.
- Jon Rogers
VANESSA DEMANDS KOBE COPS 'GIVE UP PHONES'
KOBE Bryant's widow is demanding cops hand over phones after they allegedly shared photos of the dead bodies of the star and his daughter Gigi.
The latest move in Vanessa Bryant's lawsuit comes as it is claimed a staggering 66 agents have knowledge relevant to the case, The Sun can reveal.
Widow Bryant landed a court victory in being able to name four of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies who allegedly took and shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash.
Their names were revealed last month when she posted images of lawsuit documents she filed against Los Angeles County, the Sheriff’s Department, the County Fire Department, and the deputies in question.
Now, new court documents obtained by The Sun claim that a total of 66 agents or employees of the Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department had knowledge relevant to the case, including 18 who allegedly "took, shared, or possessed photos of the accident scene."
Read the full story here.
- Jon Rogers
WHEN DID KOBE AND VANESSA GET TOGETHER?
The pair met in 1999 on the set of a music video while Vanessa was working as a model.
They became engaged after six months and got married in 2001.
Alongside Gianna, the couple shared daughters Natalia, now 17, Bianka, now four, and Capri, now one.
- Jon Rogers
VANESSA PUBLISHES MORE PHOTOS
Vanessa Bryant published more photos
She later went on to publish photographs of the couple's daughters, Bianka and Capri at different points of "Daddy's Hall of Fame exhibit."
The exhibit held various Bryant jerseys, from his time with the Lakers, as well as screens showing video footage of the legend.
The Bryant family toured the exhibit just hours before the late Lakers player will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Capri was at the Hall of Fame on FridayCredit: Instagram/vanessabryant Biaka was seen posing with Kobe's jerseysCredit: Instagram/vanessabryant - Jon Rogers
VANESSA POSES WITH PIC OF KOBE BRYANT
KOBE Bryant's widow Vanessa posed with a picture of the star as he is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame tomorrow.
It comes over a year after the NBA legend, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others went down on January 26, 2020, in the California city of Calabasas.
On Friday, Vanessa uploaded a photograph with the caption "love you always," showing her posing with a large black and white photo of Kobe.
She later went on to publish photographs of the couple's daughters, Bianka and Capri at different points of "Daddy's Hall of Fame exhibit."
Vanessa posed with a photo of KobeCredit: Instagram/vanessabryant - Jon Rogers
VANESSA BRYANT HELPED DESIGN HALL OF FAME EXHIBIT
The exhibit, located in Springfield, Mass., was largely designed by Vanessa, who worked with other companies to bring her vision together.
John Doleva, the president and CEO of the Hall of Fame, said in a press conference on Friday: "The family had a time to think about what they wanted to do… [It's] about Kobe's accomplishments but also about what Kobe was after he left the Lakers, after he left basketball."
Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated read a statement on Vanessa's behalf. She wrote, "Kobe is honored to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. I look forward to celebrating Kobe's legacy and offering my remarks at the enshrinement ceremony tomorrow. On behalf of our family, we appreciate the continuous love and support from fans all over the world."
- Jon Rogers
JORDAN REVEALS LAST TEXTS FROM BRYANT
Michael Jordan has made public their last messages to one another, in which they asked after each other’s families and teased each other on their coaching skills.
At midday on December 8, Then, Jordan explained: “He was really into coaching Gigi, so I hit him up about that.”
“Happy holidays,” Jordan wrote.“And hope to catch up soon. Coach Kobe??!”
“I added that little crying-laughing emoji,” Jordan said.
“Ah, back at you, man,” Bryant said in his final words to Jordan. “Hey, coach, I’m sitting on the bench right now, and we’re blowing this team out. 45-8.”
“I just love that text,” Jordan said, “because it shows Kobe’s competitive nature.”
2019, Bryant texted: “This tequila is awesome,” referring to Jordan’s Cincoro Tequila. “Thank you, my brother,” Jordan responded.
“Yes, sir. Family good?” Bryant wrote. “All good. Yours?” Jordan responded. “All good.”
- Jon Rogers
BRYANT’S GANGSTA RAP ALBUM RESURFACES
Bryant recorded the 16-track album, titled Visions with a host of all-star support.
Artists including Nas, 50 Cent, Beanie Segal, Black Thought, and Destiny’s Child appear on the recording.
Unfortunately, the album’s debut single, K.O.B.E. – featuring model and actress Tyra Banks – did not live up to Columbia Records expectations, and the project was quietly dropped without the entire album being released.
- Jon Rogers
WHAT OTHER AWARDS WILL BE HANDED OUT?
Numerous other awards also will be handed out, including the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement given to Tim Nugent, the Curt Gowdy Media Award given to Michael Wilbon, Mike Breen, Jim Gray and TNT’s “Inside the NBA” and the Mannie Jackson Human Spirit Award given to Wayne Embry, George Raveling and Bill Russell.
- Jon Rogers
SPECIAL HONOUR FOR BRYANT
The 18-time All-Star is being honored with a special exhibit at the Hall called “Kobe: A Basketball Life” that explores his prolific career.
The only other Hall of Famer to receive such a tribute was Jordan, who was inducted in 2009.
The Hall of Fame ceremonies were delayed from August because of the pandemic.
- Jon Rogers
WHEN IS KOBE BRYANT’S BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME?
Kobe Bryant will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame today, Saturday.
The induction ceremony Saturday is the main event from the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino in Uncasville, Conn.
On Saturday at 12.30pm PDT, ESPN will air the Hall of Fame Awards Celebration and Gala, hosted by Lisa Salters.
This will be the presentation of the Hall of Fame rings and jackets to the Class of 2020.
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