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Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesVanessa Bryant has announced the public memorial for her late husband and daughter.
“A Celebration of Life. Kobe & Gianna Bryant. 2/24/20. 10 a.m. at Staples Center,” Vanessa posted Friday on Instagram on a message featuring with purple and gold butterflies, the colors of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe’s former team. More details about the memorial service will be revealed later.
Mrs. Bryant highlighted the significance of the numbers, writing “#2, #24 #20 years as Laker.”
Gianna, who passed way at age 13 in the fatal helicopter crash on January 26 with her father and seven others, wore number 2 for the Lady Mamba basketball team coached by Kobe. The team retired her jersey on Wednesday, and on Thursday, her jersey was also retired by the Harbor Day School in Corona Del Mar, California,
Kobe wore 24 for the Los Angeles Lakers and played for the team for two decades. His number 24, and his first Lakers number, 8, were both retired and hang from the ceiling of Staples Center, where he won five NBA championships.
The 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player, who won an Oscar in 2018 for Best Animated Short Film for Dear Basketball, will be remembered Sunday at the Academy Awards.
“I think what’s really appropriate is that Kobe was part of the film community, and as such, he will be embraced within the ‘In Memoriam’ segment,” Stephanie Allain told Entertainment Tonight.
The 15-time all-star will also be honored at the NBA All-Game on February 16 in Chicago.
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