New GWS Giants skipper Stephen Coniglio spent 50 minutes in the orbit of the late NBA legend in November,and it will stick with him forever.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his teenage daughter,Gianna,have died in a helicopter crash in California. Authorities say nine people were on board,and confirmed there were no survivors.
Tony Wang is one of many grieving Kobe Bryant fans across Melbourne rushing to purchase the late basketball megastar’s memorabilia.
The chant started as soon as the doors at the back of the Palladium Ballroom at Crown casino flung open and Kobe Bryant walked through the 1000-strong crowd.
The superstar's death comes at an awkward time in China's relationship with the NBA,yet the nation's many basketball fans are mourning his loss.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his teenage daughter were among nine people killed when their helicopter crashed in California. There were no survivors.
In 1998,Michael Cowley was assigned to interview a 19-year-old American tipped as basketball's next big thing. The kid he met that day made a lasting impression.
Kobe Bryant was in Melbourne last year and his words of wisdom were lapped up by current and former AFL stars,including Anthony Koutoufides.
Kobe Bryant's shock death on Monday has hit everyone in the sporting world hard,but his career and his achievements in basketball will live on.
"Cool ... I'm going to be the next Jordan and win six championships,"he deadpanned at the time. Bryant,who has died aged 41,would end up just one short.
Kobe Bryant's influence in the sporting world extended further than just on a basketball court,with Novak Djokovic one to benefit from Bryant's mentorship.