Kobe Bryant might be posthumously inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
The NBA legend tragically handed away on Sunday (26.01.20) on the age of 41 when his non-public helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California, killing him and eight different individuals, together with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
And following his loss of life, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has revealed it is going to be posthumously inducting Kobe into its ranks.
Chairman Jerry Colangelo confirmed the information on NBA TV on Monday (27.01.20), saying there’s ”little question” in his thoughts that Kobe will make into the Hall of Fame.
He stated: ”Ironically, I’ve a gathering in Dallas on Wednesday with the committee to undergo the candidates. Obviously, the results of no matter names come out of that, he was going to be a first-ballot man. There’s little question in my thoughts. He’s going to be honoured. He’s going within the Hall of Fame.”
The Basketball Hall of Fame sees potential inductees screened in a course of which begins on Wednesday (29.01.20), earlier than a ultimate record is introduced in February and formal inductees have their achievements marked within the historical past books in April.
Since retiring from skilled basketball in 2016, this yr marks Kobe’s first yr of eligibility for the Hall of Fame.
The Los Angeles Lakers star beforehand spoke about desirous to be inducted, as he stated he would have beloved for fellow NBA legend Michael Jordan or former Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson to induct him.
Speaking in 2017, he stated: ”In phrases of who would possibly current, for me it is two individuals: Michael Jordan or Phil Jackson. They’ve been the best mentors, not solely in my profession as an athlete, but additionally as an individual. And what I would say is simply loads of thank yous. ‘Cause I’ve had a lotta assist alongside the best way. A lotta lotta assist.”
Kobe spent his complete skilled 20-year profession with the Lakers, and is a five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP and 18-time All-Star, league MVP.
