A moving Kobe and Gianna Bryant monument appeared in Calabasas on Wednesday.
Two years have passed since the legendary NBA player Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna passed away in a tragic helicopter crash. To honor the lives lost, artist Dan Medina’s moving bronze statue has been placed at the site of the crash in Calabasas.
The sculpture of Bryant in his Lakers kit with his arm around Gianna overlooks the rolling hills of California. It’s a touching moment that beautifully encapsulates the strong bond between the father and daughter as well as Kobe Bryant’s nurturing nature. A plaque at the base of it has the names of all nine crash victims inscribed on it: Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton, John Altobelli, wife Keri and daughter Alyssa, and the pilot, Ara Zobayan.
Since the tragedy, countless statues, and other tributes continue to show up around the world, a reminder of Bryant’s profound impact that stretched beyond the court. While the permanent home of the sculpture is yet to be confirmed, fans gathered at the site to pay tribute when the statue arrived on Wednesday—a day after the 2nd anniversary.
According to reports, the 160-pound bronze work is only a temporary piece as the artist awaits permission to put up a large-scale more permanent piece. So if you weren’t around to see it on Wednesday—the only day it stood above the city—there’s still a chance it may find a long-standing place in the area.