Kobe Bryant and Gianna have been immortalized as a bronze statue was erected at the site where they died in a helicopter crash.
Two years after the tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, which cost nine people their lives, Kobe and daughter Gianna were memorialized thanks to a 160-pound bronze statue sculpted by Dan Medina.
The statue, which is now covering the slopes of mountainous Calabasas, features a tear-jerking inscription that reads: “Heroes come and go but legends are forever.”
Other seven victims of the deadly aircraft crash have also been remembered, whereas their names are engraved into a plaque decorating the base of the father and daughter duo.
Opening up about the inspiration for the creation of the temporary memorial, Medina expressed how the Lakers legend was far more than just a top-level basketball player.
He also insisted that the statue should be installed on a permanent basis, whereas he is allegedly already working on a life-size version.
“I think we need something like this to be installed on a permanent basis. It hasn’t been done yet and this is maybe a catalyst for that. But I’m willing to donate whatever’s here at no cost. That’s the hope, to find a way to have it permanently installed,” Medina said.
“I thought they deserved more. Not just Kobe and Gigi, but all of the lives who were lost that day.”
Speaking of the Lakers star, Medina added that he admires Kobe not only as an NBA legend but also as a father, musician, and intellect.
“Every book he read, he made a point to contact the author. He spoke many languages, he learned how to play the piano on his own,” he said.
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