Fans and loved ones gathered at the Los Angeles Staples Center on Monday to honor the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant with a celebration of life service.
The date—February 24, 2020—was truly significant. Two was the number on Gianna's basketball jersey and 24 was the number on Kobe's jersey. The number 20 represented both the number of years Kobe played for the Lakers and the number of years he was with his wife Vanessa Bryant.
Many attendees arrived at the Los Angeles Staples Center—which has often been referred to as "the house that Kobe built"—in their Lakers attire and were given booklets featuring photos of the Bryant family.
Several athletes and celebrities attended the public memorial. Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera performed and Jimmy Kimmel, Shaquille O'Neal and Michael Jordan gave moving speeches. Friends and family members attended the celebration of life, as well. At one point, Vanessa paid tribute to Kobe and Gianna in a touching speech.
"The outpouring of love and support that my family has felt from around the world has been so uplifting," she said at one point. "Thank you so much for all your prayers."
To see more attendees, see the gallery below.
Kobe and Gianna died in a helicopter crash in January. Seven others were killed in the tragic accident, as well: John Altobelli, a baseball coach at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa; his wife, Keri Altobelli; their daughter, Alyssa Altobelli; Christina Mauser, an assistant basketball coach at Kobe's Mamba Sports Academy; Payton Chester, who played on the team; her mother, Sarah Chester; and Ara Zobayan, the pilot.
Kobe and Gianna were laid to rest in a private funeral earlier this month.
All of the proceeds from the celebration of life ticket sales were donated to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation. According to the website, the organization "exists to further Kobe and Gianna Bryant's legacy through charitable endeavors in sports."
For more information or to donate, please click here.