Kobe Bryant: Deceased basketball star inducted into Hall of Fame

Kobe Bryant (1978-2020), who died in a helicopter crash in January with his daughter Gianna, is posthumously inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Those responsible have now announced this. His colleagues Tim Duncan (43), Kevin Garnett (43) and Tamika Catchings (40) are also honored.

Bryant was one of the "greatest competitors that has ever entered the pitch" it says in the justification, among other things. The exceptional athlete had played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 until his retirement in 2016.

"Incredible Achievement and Honor"

Bryant's widow Vanessa (37) posted a tribute video to her late husband on Instagram and wrote: "I love and miss you so much, Daddy." The clip also shows an excerpt from an interview with Vanessa and her oldest daughter Natalia (17). The admission to the Hall of Fame was "an incredible achievement and honor – and we are very proud of him." They naturally wished that he was with them to celebrate "the high point of his NBA career" together.