Senate Resolution No. 2737

BY: Senator BAILEY

MOURNING the tragic death of basketball icon,
five-time NBA Champion, 18-time NBA All-Star, and
two-time Olympic gold medalist Kobe Bryant

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
celebrate those distinguished citizens who, throughout their career have
made a lasting impact on athletics and pop culture in this great Empire
State and the country at large; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to mourn the death of
basketball icon, five-time NBA Champion, 18-time NBA All-Star, and
two-time Olympic gold medalist Kobe Bryant; and

WHEREAS, Kobe Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna,
tragically died on Sunday, January 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California;
and

WHEREAS, Gianna Maria Onore Bryant, affectionately known as Gigi,
was born in Los Angeles, California, on May 1, 2006, one of four
daughters to Vanessa and Kobe Bryant; and

WHEREAS, An excellent basketball player at her middle school, Gianna
considered her father an inspirational role model, citing him as her top
reason to play in the WNBA when she grew up; and

WHEREAS, Gianna Bryant played youth basketball for the Mamba Sports
Academy, where she was coached by her father; she played on the
competitive team with the club at the U-10 through U-15 levels; and

WHEREAS, Born August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kobe
Bryant will always be regarded as not only one of the greatest
basketball players of all time, but one of the greatest athletes the
sports world has ever seen; and

WHEREAS, Upon graduating from Lower Marion High School in Ardmore,
Pennsylvania, Kobe Bryant went on to enter the 1996 NBA Draft where he
was originally selected 13th by the Charlotte Hornets; however, he was
quickly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers where he would spend the
entirety of his 20-year career; and

WHEREAS, New York State is where Kobe Bryant scored his first of
33,643 points in the NBA during a game against the New York Knicks on
November 5, 1996, at Madison Square Garden; and

WHEREAS, As a rookie in 1997, Kobe Bryant opened the eyes of the
basketball world when he won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest; he was promptly
named an All-Star in his second season with the game held at Madison
Square Garden on February 8, 1998; and

WHEREAS, Kobe Bryant led the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive
NBA Championships from 2000-2002, setting an unprecedented example of
excellence that would only grow further throughout his career; and

WHEREAS, Successfully leading the NBA in scoring during the
2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons, Kobe Bryant scored a career-high 81
points on January 22, 2006, against the Toronto Raptors, the second most
points scored in a single game in league history; and

WHEREAS, On February 2, 2009, Kobe Bryant dropped 61 points on the
New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden; the "Black Mamba" had a
stellar appearance, making 19 of 31 field goal attempts and knocking
down all 20 of his free throw attempts; and

WHEREAS, At the time, Kobe Bryant's 61 points were the most points
ever scored at Madison Square Garden by any player in NBA history; and

WHEREAS, In both 2009 and 2010, Kobe Bryant once again led the
Lakers to two consecutive championships, and was named NBA Finals MVP on
both occasions; and

WHEREAS, Officially retiring following the 2015-2016 season, Kobe
Bryant's on-court accolades included being an 18-time All-Star, a
15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and 12-team member of the
All-Defensive Team; and

WHEREAS, In addition to all his legendary accolades, Kobe Bryant was
a two-time gold medalist with Team USA, taking home the gold medals in
both 2008 and 2012; and

WHEREAS, Becoming the youngest player in league history to reach
30,000 points, Kobe Bryant also became the All-Time leading scorer in
Lakers franchise history on February 1, 2010; in addition, he was the
first guard in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons in the league;
and

WHEREAS, In 2018, Kobe Bryant won an Oscar for Best Animated Short
Film and was the first former professional athlete to be nominated and
win an Academy Award in any category for his film, "Dear Basketball";
and

WHEREAS, Kobe Bryant is survived by his wife, the former Vanessa
Laine; three daughters, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri; two sisters, Sharia
and Shaya; and his mother and father, Pamela and Joe Bryant; and

WHEREAS, Kobe Bryant's impact on not only the game of basketball,
but the country and around the globe will never be exceeded; the
connection he made with countless fans will be remembered for
generations to come; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to remember the
life and accomplishments of great athletes such as Kobe Bryant, a
well-rounded individual whose work ethic and commitment to excellence
has enabled his influence to extend beyond the realm of basketball; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the tragic death of basketball icon, five-time NBA Champion,
18-time NBA All-Star, and two-time Olympic gold medalist Kobe Bryant;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Kobe Bryant.