After some reflection, I think what makes the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant hit the world of sports so hard is that he spent the entirety of his life in the spotlight. Bryant came into the league as a 17-year old, becoming the first guard in history to be drafted straight out of high school, and evolved into an inspiration to millions. This was because Kobe wasn’t quite like the two other basketball megastars that he is so often compared to, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. These three are the heroes of each generation, sure, but they’re different in subtle ways. Jordan captivated the world and single-handedly made basketball mainstream with his athleticism and world-class ability that had never quite been seen in basketball then or since. LeBron James was (and continues to be) a physically dominant specimen that evolved before our very eyes into the supreme force both on- and off- the court that he is today; James’ talent is a wonder that we must treasure whilst we still can as his playing career draws to a close. However, Kobe was different to these two. He was a truly relatable figure that basketball desperately needed. It was his intense work ethic, the famous ‘Mamba Mentality’, that separated him from the other players. The desire to be the best through sheer determination and work ethic. The belief that you are going to be the best and, in working towards such a standard, leave nothing on the floor. This is a sentiment that anyone can apply to their respective life and field. We saw the transition endured by Kobe himself throughout his short life. He went from budding young prospect, to all-star, to the best basketball player in the world before becoming a key veteran that retired after returning from a would-be career-ending achilles injury at the age of 34, as well as season-ending injuries to his knee and shoulder in the years that followed. After his retirement in 2016, Kobe then shifted his interests outside of basketball but applied the same determination and focus that inspired millions. He won a freaking Academy Award in 2018 in the category of ‘Best Animated Short Film’, with Dear Basketball - was there anything he couldn’t do? That’s the key. The sheer application of such a mindset, the mentality of a champion - or a particular snake - can lead an individual to achieve so much. This is how he inspired so many, myself included.

Kobe conquered basketball to the point that I don’t think any fan of the sport has binned a crumpled piece of paper and not, at the very least, muttered his name. His NBA legacy speaks for itself: when will we see another player win five championships? Bryant was the 2008 NBA MVP, and named an All-Star eighteen times. On Saturday the 25th of January - the night before the incident - LeBron James surpassed Kobe’s all-time points total, and Bryant’s final interaction on social media was to congratulate his friend and current Los Angeles Laker on his achievement. It feels almost surreal, like a movie script that never should have been commissioned. From his alley-oop to Shaq in Game Seven in 2000, to his 60-point farewell performance in 2016, Kobe showcased his astounding talent and inspirational ethic to the eagerly watching world.