Hometown Broadcasting Sports Monday 1/27/20
27 January 2020 Sports
Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant died in a helicopter crash Sunday. Bryant was 41 years old. The crash happened in the hills above Calabasas, Calif. about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Officials say all nine people aboard the helicopter died.
The Orange County Register reported Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa were also among the crash victims, based on a statement from the family. Altobelli’s daughter was on the same basketball team as Bryant’s daughter. Altobelli spent 27 seasons as coach at the community college in Costa Mesa, California. He coached future major leaguers including Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets. Tributes at sporting events happened as news spread of Bryant’s death, including moments of silence at NBA games and a “Kobe” chant at the NFL Pro Bowl. Fans gathered near the site of the crash to mourn, as well as at the Staples Center where Bryant played his home games.
Bryant won five NBA championships during his 20-year career, all with the Lakers. He was named the league MVP in 2008 and was an 18-time All-Star. He tweeted Saturday to congratulate LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers for surpassing him for third on NBA’s third all-time scoring list. Bryant scored 33,643 points in his career, trailing only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone when he retired in 2016. The Los Angeles Times reports the helicopter took off from Orange County, where Bryant lived. The crash happened shortly before 10 a.m. local time in the hills above Calabasas in foggy conditions.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw three touchdowns and was named the offensive player of the game as the AFC beat the NFC 38-33 in Sunday’s Pro Bowl in Orlando. Jacksonville’s Calais Campbell was named the game’s Defensive MVP. The Packers Davante Adams caught two second half touchdowns for the NFC.
The football community and the entire sports world was shaken Sunday by the news of Kobe Bryant’s passing. News of the NBA legend’s death trickled out right as the Pro Bowl got underway in Orlando, leaving players on the field and fans in the stands to learn about the news in real time on live television. In an interview with ESPN during the second quarter, Drew Brees lauded Bryant as “one of the great competitors of any generation.” Following a third-quarter sack, Za’Darius Smith led the NFC defense in a fadeaway celebration in honor of the shooting guard. Davante Adams punctuated a touchdown reception by dunking the ball over the goal posts. Late in the second quarter, a moment of silence was held for Bryant. Camping World Stadium, filled with football fans, soon erupted into a “Ko-be” chant.
The Milwaukee Bucks released this statement.
“Kobe Bryant demonstrated an extraordinary passion for basketball and love for his family. His legendary impact on the game will continue forever and he will be terribly missed by the Bucks organization and basketball fans across the globe.
We are devastated and shocked by this tragedy and for the loss of his daughter,
Gianna, and the others on board. Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to the
Bryant family, the Lakers and those who are affected.”
The Wisconsin Herd extended its winning streak to five games Sunday with a 107-101 victory over Stockton. Four Herd players scored in double figures, with Jaylen Adams leading the way. Adams poured in a game-high 28 points (10-20 FG) and added five rebounds and six assists and scored 15 fourth quarter points. Shannon Bogues and Luke Maye tallied 14 points apiece, while D.J. Hogg contributed with 13 points, four rebounds and two blocks. Brandon Randolph recorded a season-high 12 points off the bench, and Jemerrio Jones posted a stat line of eight points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block.
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