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Celebrating the lives of Philadelphia area native and basketball phenom, Kobe Bryant, and that of his daughter Gianna Bryant, upon their tragic passing and honoring a distinguished legacy of athletic excellence and off-court leadership.
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WHEREAS, Kobe Bean Bryant was born in 1978 to 76ers star Joe “Jellybean” Bryant and his wife Pamela Cox. Kobe grew up in Italy where his father played basketball and returned to the US to play basketball at Lower Merion High School; and
WHEREAS, By the time he was a senior, Kobe’s basketball star power was well known. He led Lower Merion to a state championship in 1996 and pledged to go straight to the NBA draft out of high school; and
WHEREAS, Kobe Bryant spent his entire record-shattering basketball career with the LA Lakers. He led the team to victory in five championships during his twenty-year career in the NBA. Drafted in the same year as Allen Iverson, Bryant even dominated a rivalry with his hometown, winning a championship over the Sixers in 2001; and
WHEREAS, Kobe Bryant’s legendary status is nearly unparalleled; his career is one of the most decorated in the history of basketball. In addition to five championships, he was named regular season MVP in 2008, was a two-time Finals MVP, an 18-time NBA All Star and four time All Star MVP; and
WHEREAS, Bryant won two Gold Medals with Team USA at the Olympics in 2008 and 2012. He won an additional Gold Medal in 2007 at the Tournament of the Americas. He is the fourth highest scoring player in the history of the sport, having just been edged out of third place by friend and mentee LeBron James the day before his passing; and
WHEREAS, Bryant will always be remembered for his incredible work ethic, known as the Mamba Mentality. His legacy centers around the desire to, “constantly try to be the best version of yourself and have a constant quest to be better today than yesterday” ; and
WHEREAS, Off the court, Bryant was a successful entrepreneur and investor. In addition to creating a venture capital firm, Bryant began a media company focused on storytelling in sports. In 2018, Kobe wrote and narrated “Dear Basketball” which won an Academy Award for best animated short film; and
WHEREAS, Kobe Bryant was a dedicated philanthropist whose foundation pledged generously to community organizations including the United Way, homeless youth advocacy groups, After School All Stars, Make a Wish Foundation, Stand Up to Cancer and many others. The Bryants also funded Mamba FC, a soccer club that teaches young athletes to become leaders and independent thinkers; and
WHEREAS, Of all his accomplishments, Kobe Bryant seemed to take greatest pride in being a father. His daughter Gianna was a player on the basketball team he coached at his Mamba Sports Academy. Gianna hoped to one day attend UConn to play basketball. At only 13, she was eager to jump into her father’s shoes and continue his legacy of basketball domination; and
WHEREAS, The loss of a sports hero is always sad, but the loss of Kobe and Gianna Bryant is an especially tragic and poignant reminder to us all to appreciate the time we are given and embody excellence in whatever we do; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the City Council of Philadelphia, Does hereby honor and celebrate the lives of Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant.
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