Kobe Bryant will be posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The news was announced by the organization’s chairman, Jerry Colangelo, on Monday, just one day after Bryant and eight others — including his 13-year-old daughter, Giana — were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. He was 41.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Bryant will be put under the routine screening process like any other nominee starting this Wednesday. Finalists will be announced in February, with formal inductees announced in April.
Bryant retired from the game in 2016 and was reportedly in his first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame. The former Los Angeles Lakers player had previously mentioned wanting fellow NBA legend Michael Jordan or former Lakers coach Phil Jackson to induct him.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball of Fame doubles as a museum as well, promoting and preserving the history of the sport. “Kobe will be honored the way he should be,” said Colangelo.
Bryant is survived by his wife Vanessa, and their three daughters: Natalia (17), Bianka (3), and Capri (7 months).
By Michael Jacobo
Photo: Zuma/MGN
