Losing Kobe Bryant isn’t just about Basketball

Kobe Bryant coaching his Mamba Academy team at Hope University in Fullerton. Photo taken March 31, 2019 at 9:22 a.m.
February 13, 2020
Kobe Bryant looks at the ref and calls a time out. As he calls in his team and grabs his clipboard, click, I take the photo.
I took this photo during my sister’s morning basketball game last March. It was a typical day, just like that Sunday.
Then things were different.
I received a screenshot from a friend with the headline, “Kobe Bryant Killed in Helicopter Crash… Everyone Else On Board Dead Too.” I quickly went on Twitter, checked local news sources ABC, NBC, and KTLA. I refreshed pages every minute, hoping I would see a tweet that confirmed his death rumor was “false.” When KTLA, our local Los Angeles news channel confirmed that the rumor was true, my heart dropped.
Kobe, Gianna Bryant, Payton & Sarah Chester, Alyssa, Keri & John Altobelli, Christina Mauser, and pilot Ara Zobayan were all on board the helicopter that crashed on Sunday, January 26, 2020. Alyssa, Payton, and Gianna were all teammates for Lady Mambas, a girls basketball team coached by Kobe Bryant. Payton was with her mother, Sarah. Alyssa was with her mother and her father who was the baseball coach for Orange Coast College for 27 seasons. Christina Mauser was a full time coach for Mamba Academy. They were all traveling to the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, Calif., for a basketball tournament.
The day the news broke, fans all over the world, mourned the loss of an NBA Legend and the other lives that were lost. Thousands of fans gathered around the Staples Center that night as the Grammys took place inside. In the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, the pain was really felt. Bryant meant more than basketball.
Bryant entered the NBA at only 18 years of age, being one of the youngest to enter the league. He played 20 seasons in the NBA, all with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was an 18x NBA All Star, 5x NBA Champion, 2x NBA Finals MVP, and NBA MVP. He finished his career in fourth place in the all time scoring list. He also holds the second most points scored in a single game, 81 points, and finished his career scoring 60 points against the Utah Jazz.
This was more than a coach to player connection, it’s a family connection they had built.
— Alfredo Arcos
Not only was Bryant known for his legendary career as an NBA player, but also for being a great father and role model. Bryant had four daughters: Natalia, Gianna, Bianka and his youngest Capri Bryant. He was an example of what a great father should be. Bryant’s motive for using a helicopter was to spend more time with his daughters and wife instead of being stuck in L.A. traffic.
Bryant ultimately represented us, people who fight everyday of their lives to see a brighter day. His drive, his passion, his hunger to win. He inspired generations to have what is called the “mamba mentality.” The mamba mentality is what Bryant represented. Doing whatever it takes to reach your goals, never giving up, and never backing down from a challenge. He gave the game of basketball his heart, every game he played he left it all on the court.
The extent of Bryant’s impact on me was far greater than just an athletic aspect. As a basketball fan and former player, it was hard for me to leave the game behind. I lost the passion of playing the game my sophomore year, and decided to stop something that no longer made me happy. However, Kobe made me realize that the passion for basketball will never leave you, and it is up to us to pass it on and share with younger generations.
Kobe founded the Mamba Sports Academy in 2016, roughly around the same time my father and I organized a travel basketball team. This was both my way, and Bryant’s, of passing the game on to others. In March 2019, the Mamba Academy played the Santa Ana Golden Eagles, my sister’s team right up the street from our house in Fullerton, Calif.
My 12-year-old sister Valeria Arcos, who had played against Gianna, was shocked by their deaths. “My first thoughts when the news broke, was it’s fake news,” Arcos said. “ It felt like a bad dream. It saddens me that Gianna never got to keep growing as a basketball player. Kobe inspired many of us young female basketball players to get better everyday and to be a better person.”
Soon after hearing the news, Arcos laced up her basketball shoes and went to her gym to play her first game of the day. She described the atmosphere of the gym that day as “dead silent.” No one talked, they just tried to focus on the game.
The Santa Ana Golden Eagles head coach and founder is my father, Alfredo Arcos, who was heartbroken over the loss of life. “I was very saddened. Many young lives were lost and it is an unpleasant thing to hear,” said Alfredo. From a coach’s perspective, “It is very tough on the families of the lives lost, as much as it is on their players. This was more than a coach to player connection, it’s a family connection they had built. The players did not only lose their coaches, but they also lost a mother/father/role model in them.”
Bryant meant a lot to me. But his mamba mentality meant the most.
I’ll remember the night he dropped 60 points in his final game. It was unexpected, and even in his final game he left it all on the court. He showed that anything is possible, if you work for it.
The day I took his photo he was just really focused on the game his daughter’s team was playing. I was too star struck to talk to him so I snapped the photo quickly as he coached his players. When it came to timeouts, he remained calm and pointed out his players’ mistakes and how to fix them. He complemented them when they did something well. Just Bryant being like any other dad and coach.
The story will be told on how Kobe was more than an athlete. His drive, his passion, his discipline, his dedication, can all be used to teach us a lot. As our community continues to grieve, we can’t help but look back at the great things he did. Let us continue his story, in our own way, hoping to inspire the next generation.
Mamba out, but not forgotten.
Steven Padilla • Feb 28, 2020 at 8:44 pm
Kobe, he was and still is my favorite basketball player of all time. His energy and his aura on the court impacted not just basketball player’s lives but the lives of athletes as a whole. I felt very AFFLICTED to hear the news that Sunday morning, I was in utter shock to here that one of the all-time legends of one of my favorite sports had passed away.
It is unbelievable to me how he ASCENDED from his conflicts throughout the beginning of his career and him being accused of such horrible crimes. People around the world displayed PAROXYSM, but he kept his chin up and fought through adversity. By the end of Kobes career he had earned 5 championship rings, he’s MONOLITHIC in the eyes of basketball fans. He’s gone, but he’ll never be forgotten. – Steven P
Adrian Alvarez • Feb 19, 2020 at 2:13 pm
I was surprised to find out that Kobe Bryant was dead on Sunday morning. He was a very accomplished man that did more before his 40s that people do in their entire life. It’s sad to see when someone as amazing as him passes away because he is one of the few people who are genuine and whole hearted.
Flavio Hernandez • Feb 19, 2020 at 2:06 pm
I believe that Kobe was more than just a player, he was a role model to many globally and cared for greatly. When I first saw the news from TMZ, I was like, “No there´s no way that actually happened.¨ I shrugged it off as fake news for views but as soon as other media posted that It did actually occurred, I was in shock. It really was painful to know that a great person is no longer with us anymore.
alexis beristain • Feb 19, 2020 at 1:12 pm
I can’t believe what happened to Kobe Brayan was true but it made me understand that anything could happen in a matter of seconds. I never thought that Kobe Brayan would leave this world at this age. Kobe Brayan was a legend he made basketball interesting to watch.
Emily Lopez • Feb 19, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Very touching article, totally award winning.
Gio Vargas • Feb 19, 2020 at 9:58 am
It was devastating to find out that the fog caused the helicopter that crashed to be TURBULENT before the disastrous event. At the moment we found out the news countless people were desperately looking for a SANCTUARY for multiple it was the Staples Center where he once played. At the moment when we all felt AFFLICTED filled with an EXCRUCIATING pain, it was beautiful to see a whole community around the world mourn the loss of a legend.
Angel Mendoza • Feb 19, 2020 at 8:13 am
The death of Kobe Bryant is something that AFFLICTED great sadness on everyone, not just the basketball community. Many people were FRETFUL when they heard the news, it goes to show that his presence in the world deeply mattered to everyone from watching him on the tv to throwing a piece of paper to the trash and saying “Kobe” as a kid. No, but really he stayed committed to the same team for 20 years many of us watched him as a child, even our parents watched him when they were around our age. Many people became COGNIZANT, realizing that at any moment we can lose someone, some of us know about this more than others but its a realization that we all face. Sure he’s a person the same as all of us, but he was a symbol, he created his Black Mamba ego and mentality to separate his personal and professional life, it made it easier during the low points in his life, but he quickly ASCENDED in his career, strengthening his body and spirit to harder. May he rest easy.
Morelia • Feb 18, 2020 at 11:14 pm
Kobe Bryant, a legend, a father, and an inspirational human being, had left the lives of those who were admired by the remarkable person he was outside and inside the court. It was so FRETFUL that a player like Kobe Bryant, who started playing basketball at a young age ASCENDED to become an honorable and admirable basketball player of all time. Even though the life of an NBA All-Star TERMINATED, the inspiration, motivation, and mamba mentality is UBIQUITOUS within our hearts. Kobe Bryant truly left all his fans, team, and family devastated because he gave them a great example of the great man he was. Although Kobe Bryant spent his life under pressure as well as struggles, he lived his life to the fullest, doing what he loves most. Thanks so much to Kobe Bryant for all he did, may he rest in peace.
Victor Ayala • Feb 18, 2020 at 10:53 pm
Kobe Bryant was an amazing basketball player and a legend for the Lakers and I’m sure everyone is COGNIZANT of this. Kobe was a role model for many people even if you weren’t a Lakers fan, you can’t ignore all the hard work Kobe Bryant would put into his career. Ever since his debut, Kobe had worked hard to ASCEND into being one of the greatest athletes of all time. Kobe was an amazing idol when the team would be down Kobe would bring the team back up. Although it still is hard to believe Kobe, Gianna, and everyone else on board is gone, you can still feel the UBIQUITOUS influence in every game. Thank you Kobe, may you rest in peace legend.
Stephanie • Feb 18, 2020 at 10:22 pm
Kobe Bryant an all-star player ASCEND from a small background. It was FRETFUL to ASCEND not knowing what was going to happen and who was going to support him and lucky the Latino background is where he got most of his support. After the whole basketball he was also a great father and husband after a SKIRMISH with his parents of the person he was going to marry. He led up to be amazing father and great role model for the youth. Unfortunately this year we lost him and one of his daughters to a plane crash but his legacies still lives.
Melissa Flores • Feb 18, 2020 at 7:32 pm
I think this article really shows how losing Kobe Bryant isn’t about Basketball but about losing a role model for many people. We can’t REVERT what happened to him and all the people in the accident but it can bring families together by love each other because we don’t know what the future holds. I deeply feel sorry for his family going through this and hope they have the strength to ASCEND. He truly inspired many people, not just basketball players but everyone that had a dream to FORTHWITH reach that goal by not giving up.
Angel Mendoza • Feb 18, 2020 at 6:04 pm
The death of Kobe Bryant is something that AFFLICTED great sadness on everyone, not just the basketball community. Many people were left FRETFUL when they heard the news, it goes to show that his presence in the world deeply mattered to everyone from watching him on the tv to throwing a piece of paper to the trash and saying “Kobe” as a kid. Jokes aside he really stayed committed to the same team for 20 years many of us watched him as a child, even our parents watched him when they were around our age. Many people became COGNIZANT, realizing that at any moment we can lose someone, some of us know about this more than others but its a realization that we all face. Sure he’s a person the same as all of us, but he was a symbol, he created his Black Mamba ego and mentality to separate his personal and professional life, it made it easier during the low points in his life, but he quickly ASCENDED in his career, strengthening his body and spirit to work harder. May he rest easy.
Sarah Herrera • Feb 18, 2020 at 5:49 pm
To know that Kobe Bryant, one of the most inspirational people out there is gone, along with his beautiful daughter, Gianna Bryant brings me deep sadness. I can’t even begin to imagine how Vanessa Bryant must feel, the pain must seem INTERMINABLE. I know that she is a very strong woman and with the help of her family she will get through it. The HAPLESS event that occurred on January 26, 2020, felt unrealistic, it was all so sudden. Kobe Bryant was an ADROIT basketball player who will inspire others to be passionate about the things they love.
Sarah
Andrew Tellez • Feb 18, 2020 at 1:41 pm
I was DUBIOUS when I heard the news that Kobe had passed. So I turned on the TV and to my dismay, saw it wasn’t fake news. Kobe’s life was AFFLUENT with wealth, happiness, and accomplishments. It wasn’t FEASIBLE for the legend to have passed at a time like this. He had impacted the lives of those not just in LA, but around the world. He was an inspiration to many. His death made everyone realize how much we take for granted in our lives. This devastating incident reminded everyone to be grateful for their loved ones because we never know if it’ll be the last time we see them or the last time we walk out that door.
Anthony Servin • Feb 18, 2020 at 8:59 am
Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest basketball players of all time, it truly is tragic on how such an inspirational player who ASCENDED throughout his career and became a valuable player. The life of an NBA All-Star is truly FRETFUL, having to work with a team that depend on you, having the pressure of fans counting on you. And yet with all the pressure he still enjoyed his career and enjoyed his short-lived life. Although he was REPREHENSITED at times in his life, he still was a man, who had a life and a family, may he rest in peace.
Robert Morgan • Feb 18, 2020 at 7:52 am
Kobe is still the most inspirational basketball player I ever watched. I know he is working out right now getting ready for whatever is next. His ability to provide inspiration for preparation is what will linger. Thanks for the great article.
Mario Campos • Feb 14, 2020 at 8:32 am
Roman, Excellent article. This is Mario Campos from FaZe Clan and we want to recruit you for our team. We think you would be an excellent fit into our group. Thanks – BannanasinFaZe
Rhonda Collins • Feb 14, 2020 at 7:40 am
My family and I are so deeply saddened about what has happened to Kobe, your beautiful daughter Gianna and 7 others on day of the helicopter crash It was the saddest day ever, but I don’t have to remind you of that,you wake up to it everyday and for that I am truly sorry,I admire you as a mother being there for the girls and holding it together for them, you’re an amazing strong women & it’s okay to let yourself cry when u have a moment alone, God Bless you and your family