A public memorial for Lakers star Kobe Bryant and eight others killed in a helicopter crash will be held on Feb. 24 at Staples Center, a person with knowledge of the event confirmed to Southern California News Group.
The memorial will honor Bryant, who is best known for his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Also killed in the Jan. 26 crash in Calabasas was his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant; John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli; Sarah and Payton Chester; Christina Mauser and Ara Zobayan, who were on their way to a basketball tournament at Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks. Gianna’s team was coached by Bryant.
A public memorial has been anticipated for Bryant, whose death at 41 sent shockwaves throughout the region and the world. NBA players and anonymous fans alike wept openly when his death was reported on Sunday, Jan. 26, and murals and signs throughout the globe have stood as monuments to Bryant’s influence as a cultural figure.
The memorial is set to take place on a day when the Clippers host the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:30 p.m. The game is expected to go on as scheduled, meaning the memorial is almost certain to start in the morning. It will be held on a day between Lakers home games, which will be on Feb. 23 (Boston) and Feb. 25 (New Orleans).
The date has some sentimental significance taking place on 2/24, which is a combination of Gianna’s and Kobe’s jersey numbers, respectively. Gianna Bryant’s jersey was retired by Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar, on Thursday.
Before clearing an impromptu shrine that inhabited L.A. Live on Monday, droves of mourners had left basketballs, balloons, candles, flowers, jerseys and more outside of Staples Center, where Bryant won five NBA championships. Fans have been urged to donate to a Bryant foundation rather than bring more gifts and flowers.
Bryant’s widow Vanessa had requested some items, which were to be cataloged and shipped to the family. Flowers will be composted and spread around plants near Staples Center.
Staples, which opened in 1999, has played host to other memorials, including for singer Michael Jackson in 2009 and, last year, for rapper Nipsey Hussle. Bryant, who joined the NBA straight out of high school in 1996, played for the Lakers at the Forum for three seasons.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.