By Tyler Banks
Yesterday afternoon, the world received horrifying news— NBA legend and Oscar winner, Kobe Bryant, died in a helicopter crash alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven other passengers near Calabasas, California.
Among the casualties was Orange County College Coach John Altobelli, who was one of the most successful junior college baseball coaches in the country—leading his team to over 700 victories in a span of 27 seasons. He was traveling with his 13-year-old daughter, Alyssa Altobelli, and his wife, Keri Altobelli. The Altobelli’s have one son, J.J., and another daughter, Lexi, who were not on the Helicopter.
Payton Chester, another 13-year-old girl who played on Mambas girls’ basketball team alongside Gianna Bryan and Alyssa Altobelli. Payton’s mother, Sarah Chester, also died in the crash.
Christina Mauser, one of Bryant’s assistant coaches for the Mambas girls’ basketball team, also died in the crash alongside Ara Zoboyan, the pilot of the Helicopter.
They were on their way to a basketball camp that Bryant was hosting.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of this tragedy but the weather has been deemed as a possible factor. Los Angeles County Sheriff, Alex Villanueva, said that there was a visibility issue from the fog that was present in the area.
“We do know there was an issue with visibility and a low ceiling,” Villanueva said in a press statement Sunday evening. “The actual conditions at the time of impact, that is still yet to be determined,” He continued.
Since Bryant’s passing, there has been an outpouring of support to all of the families involved with this horrific event. On the famous video game “NBA 2K20,” for instance, different players wore a Kobe jersey and walked around their online lobby known as “The Park.”Players throughout the league and many public figures expressed their condolences to the families that are going through this sad and awful experience too.
A former teammate of Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, released a statement on Twitter: There’s no words to express the pain I’m going through with this tragedy of losing my niece Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW”
Former President Barack Obama also said: “Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act,” the tweet said. “To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.”
Just two days ago, the world came together to watch Kobe Bryant secede his place as the second player with the most points to Lebron James. We watched as he heartily passed the baton to his friend.
Today, we are mourning him.
Incidents like these show why we as human beings need to make every moment that we have last because, in an instant, our life can be taken away from us. One night he is being celebrated for his accomplishments throughout his career, and today, we are mourning his death.
However, our prayers go out to the Bryant family, along with all of the other families involved with this terribly sad event and hopefully, they can come out of this rough patch still united.
