Los Angeles (AFP)
Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in late January, is unsurprisingly among the players to be inducted this year into the Hall of Fame, the pantheon of US basketball, according to the list revealed on Saturday.
The Los Angeles legend, who disappeared at 41 in a crash that also cost the life of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people, is among the nine names of the 2020 promotion, notably with the former player of San Antonio Tim Duncan (43), five-time NBA title holder, and Kevin Garnett, champion in 2008 with Boston.
"The 2020 promotion is undoubtedly one of the most historic of all time and the talent and social influence of these nine winners is beyond measure," said John Doleva, general manager of the Hall of Fame.
"In 2020, the basketball community suffered the unimaginable loss of emblematic figures: NBA commissioner David Stern (note: died in January at 77 years of age following a brain hemorrhage) and Kobe Bryant, as well as the loss of game itself because of the COVID-19. " The NBA season was suspended last month before the spread of the coronavirus.
"It is an incredible accomplishment and honor, we are extremely proud of him," said Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa. "Each step in his athletic career has been a stepping stone to be here (at Hall fo Fame)," she added.
© 2020 AFP