But even among them, Kobe Bryant holds a special place in the hearts of fans. While his 20-year stint with the organization, where he helped them win five NBA Championships played a role in it, his tragic passing in 2020 contributed a lot as well.

January 26, 2025, is the fifth anniversary of the helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others when Kobe was only 41 years old.

"Just him taking the time to talk to my kids…even though I was a great player, I’m not my kids’ favorite player. The post Even Before Dad, Shaquille O’Neal’s Son Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant With Two-Emoji Post appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Shaquille O'Neal shares a heartfelt tribute to "Lil Bro" Kobe Bryant on the fifth anniversary of his passing, honoring his legacy.

Kobe and Gigi are survived by Vanessa Bryant and her kids Natalia, 22, Bianka, 8, and Capri, 5, who are all growing up so fast as seen in their holiday ski photos as a family. On Sunday, an outpouring of messages and photos hit social media for Kobe and Gigi including family friends Russell Wilson’s and his wife Ciara’s heartfelt posts.