Former NBA star and legend Kobe Bryant tragically died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, near Calabasas, CA. Traveling to their daughters’ basketball tournament in extremely foggy conditions, the nine people that passed away were Kobe Bryant, 41; his daughter Gianna Bryant, 13; John Altobelli, 56; Keri Altobelli, 46; Alyssa Altobelli,13; Christina Mauser, 38; Ara Zobayan, 50; Sarah Chester, 45; and Payton Chester, 13.

This news affected many fans around the world as well as some Cardinal students and athletes.

“One of the reasons his death affected me is because he was one of my favorite basketball players,” soph. Phoenix Bramhall said. “Him and Stephen Curry were the two reasons I play basketball.”

Several students and faculty members said they did not believe the news when they first heard it.

“I actually thought it was some sort of a hoax,” coach Eric Brenton said. “My wife actually saw it on Twitter and when she told me, I started trying to find other places to see if it was really true.”

Bryant’s death rattled many people when they heard and they say he will never be forgotten.

“When I first heard about his death, I was shocked and immediately felt sorry for his family and friends,” soph. Grace Moothart said. “Kobe Bryant will always be remembered for the person he was on and off the court.”

Some students even felt compelled to commemorate his death by creating digital art in their classes as shown below.