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The sudden death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant shocked fans, sports enthusiasts, artists across the globe.

NBA icon Kobe, his teenage daughter Gianna, and seven others on board were killed in a helicopter crash on a steep hillside in the dense morning fog in Southern California on January 26 on their way to a basketball game at the Mamba Academy.

He was one of the greatest basketball players in the history who inspired people around the world not only through his sport but off the court as well.

A five-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist, he earned his laurels with unflinching grit and tenacity during a remarkable two-decade season career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Undoubtedly, the death of Kobe Bryant ricocheted across America wherein artists leaped immediately into action to memorialize the charismatic superstar.

Penn Street Art Bridge, York

Jefferson tribute to Kobe and his daughter

A York tattoo artist Jefferson along with other local artists painted this touching mural art as a tribute to Kobe and his daughter, Gianna five-time NBA in York, Pennsylvania.

Ventura Boulevard, Los Angeles Studio City

Within hours following the tragic death of Bryant, Art ‘Artoon’ Gozukuchikyan expressing his shock, created a street art on a building in Ventura Boulevard of the NBA icon and his daughter using his spray paints.

Pickford Market, Mid-City

Captioned ‘Kobe and Gigi Forever’ along with Daddy’s Girl banner, his beautiful mural was painted by Venice-based artist Jules Muck in only six hours. Upset with the tragic news, she revealed that she couldn’t hold her tears back while painting the tribute to the legend.

Priority Barber Club, Signal Hill

Mister Alek, a muralist from Los Angeles painted his friend’s barbershop in Signal Hill to honor Bryant. He painted a mural of the star wearing his number 24 Lakers jersey in a stance ready to shoot a basket.

“I just held it there, and I laid it across my bed. I just stared at it for a few minutes. Just because, as a kid growing up, this is the ultimate, ultimate in basketball.” -Bryant on how amazing it was to wear the Team USA jersey.

Sparadise, Mid-Wilshire

Another L.A. based street artist Thierry Guetta (aka Brainwash), created this colorful mural showcasing Bryant and Giana, wherein the basketball legend is wearing a Lakers sweatshirt against a background with newspaper images of Bryant during his NBA years. This mural also pays tribute to the other 7 people who died in the helicopter crash, with their names being written out on a wall next to the picture.

Jimmy Jam T-Shirts, DTLA

Tha Sloe recreated the lovely image of the basketball icon and a baby Gigi, in which he is seen gently kissing her while holding a basketball. The words ‘Mamba Forever’ is written next to the image.

Kobe was one of the most admired athletes around the globe and nicknamed himself  ‘Black Mamba’on the court, drawing inspiration from the code name for a deadly assassin in Quentin Tarantino's movie ‘Kill Bill’.

In fact, it was the Mamba mentality that is embodied by NBA superstar and has defined his career and achievements.

“It’s the ultimate mantra for the competitive spirit.  It started just as a hashtag that came to me one day, and it’s grown into something athletes — and even non-athletes — embrace as a mindset.”- Kobe

Senegalese artist Bou Bou who is well known for his non-traditional painting techniques and abilities paid tribute to the Lakers icon in a unique style. He painted a painting of Kobe using a side of a basketball hoop.

Magician and Rubik’s Cube artist Steven Brundage also a basketball lover, expressed his mourning for his hero through his unique artwork using hundreds of cubes.

He created a massive mosaic out of Rubik’s cube to pay tribute to the late Lakers shooting guard. Using 814 cubes, he created a smiling portrait of Bryant which took him about 20 hours to complete. 

Kobe Bryant was a legend whose celebrity transcended basketball and he will definitely be missed.

Goodbye Kobe!

Tags: Artists