The death of acclaimed basketball player, Kobe Bryant, sparked attention around the nation and Dickinson College campus. Students reflect on the death of acclaimed basketball player, Kobe Bryant, with reference to his legacies and controversies.

Bryant, his daughter, Gina, and seven other passengers died in a helicopter crash on Sunday, Jan. 26. All passengers on board were set to attend a youth basketball tournament when the plane crashed around the Calabasas, CA area. According to an article published by BBC on Feb. 1, the helicopter was not licensed to fly in low-visibility conditions.

Many students expressed their appreciations for Bryant and his legacy.  Alex Cohen ’21 said, “He always put his family first and loved teaching people about the game of basketball which is something that I respect a lot.”  Ben Stoopack ’23, who wears Bryant’s number with the Lakers, agreed with Cohen’s sentiments but said he was shocked by his death. Stoopack described Bryant as a “superhuman” and said , “Even though I’m not the biggest basketball fan his work ethic was something I admired.”

Bryant’s death also stirred complexities in the media, and people reflect on his previous controversies. In 2003, a 19-year-old female hotel employee accused Byrant of sexual assault after an encounter at the same hotel. Bryant was eventually charged with one count of felony assault, but the case was dropped a year later, according to a Jan. 26 article by the Los Angeles Times.  Stoopack ’23 also commented on this situation. “What he did was really messed up but he definitely seemed to have atoned for that by being a great father to his four daughters,” he said.

News of Bryant’s death quickly circulated around social media from TMZ’s initial report. However, news outlets waited for more details to be released. The New York Times reportedthe same day and cited Bryant’s death as “alleged,” until LA officials confirmed the deaths.

Students reflected on how the media portrayed Bryant’s death.  Victoria Sanchez ’22 said she was “ […] more upset about that fact that [eight] other people died [on the helicopter] and no one is talking about it.”

Bryant’s career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) spanned three decades. The Charlotte Hornets drafted Bryant in 1996 in the first round with the 13^thoverall pick.  He was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.  During his tenure in the NBA, Bryant won five NBA Finals championships, 2 NBA Finals MVP Awards, made fifteen NBA All Star Game appearances, and achieved one NBA Regular Season MVP award.