Coming together for Kobe

Monday 27 January 2020

Guernsey's senior men's basketball team are opening tonight's training session up to anyone who has been affected by the death of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant.

The 41-year-old basketball legend died in a helicopter crash yesterday alongside his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others.

The other victims have been named as Gianna's basketball teammates Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, Alyssa's parents John and Keri Altobello, Payton's mother Sarah Chester, the girls' basketball coach Christina Mauser and pilot Are Zobayan.

A number of tributes have been paid to all of the victims, but the focus has been on Mr Bryant and his daughter, with other NBA teams honouring them as soon as they heard the news. 

The New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden pay tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. pic.twitter.com/KmNlTlDQXT

— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2020

Locally, a number of basketball players have been paying tribute to Mr Bryant, including the island men's coach, Adam Farish.

He has said tonight's training session, at St Sampson's High between 20:00 and 21:30 will be open to everyone who wants to pay their respects.

Pictured: Guernsey's mens' team in a previous training session. 

Mr Farish said; "following the tragic news yesterday of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna’s passing in a helicopter crash, the team are opening up the doors to their training session tonight to anyone who this has effected and might want to come along to watch, to play, to just be around the game or to mourn."

He said the offer is open to everyone in the local community, as "a lot of people have been stunned and saddened by the events so we would like to be there in some way."

The Guernsey Basketball Association runs a number of local leagues including two men's divisions, a women's division and junior leagues. The island currently holds all four inter insular trophies against Jersey, and regularly competes on the international stage in events including the Island Games. 

Pictured: Guernsey Basketball Team at the Gibraltar Island Games in July 2019. 

Mr Farish reiterated that everyone is welcome to tonight's training session, especially those who want to be around other 'ballers and "have a ball in their hands, shoot around or just be around the game and others who may be feeling what they are feeling.

"There will be games, drills, shots and maybe a few tears, whatever feels right, no judgement, just love. Anyone is welcome."

Mr Farish can be contacted via Facebook. 

Pictured top: Kobe Bryant, image from PA. Local images above provided by Adam Farish.