Los Angeles, California, will come together on Feb. 24 to memorialize legendary Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant, who once sported the No. 24 jersey.
Bryant, 41; his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna; and seven others were traveling in a helicopter to a youth basketball game when the helicopter suddenly crashed in Calabasas, California, killing all on board.
The Feb. 24 event will honor not only the star basketball player but all of the victims of the crash, according to the Los Angeles Times. It will be held at the Staples Center, where Bryant led his team to five championships and brought home the NBA Finals MVP award twice.
“I think one message that I would say is this is not just about a man who was a basketball player: This is about a father. This is about a leader. This is about a filmmaker. This is about an artist. This is about somebody who was so much more than just how he was on the court,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti about the memorial last week.
“It’s a reminder how much unity we have, though,” he continued. “We are one city that believes in each other, believes in something bigger than ourselves, and we will absolutely do everything to make sure that this is done so that everybody can come to it as well.”
The Staples Center has hosted other high-profile memorials, including for singer Michael Jackson and rapper Nipsey Hussle.
[Audio: 911 calls from Kobe Bryant helicopter crash released]
