A memorial service inside Staples Center on Monday celebrated the lives of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. The date -- Feb. 24 -- reflects the basketball jersey numbers worn by Kobe (No. 24) and Gianna (No. 2). The service was held just less than a month after Bryant, 13-year-old Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Jan. 26.
More than 20,000 people -- friends, family and those who acquired tickets through a lottery (80,000 applied) -- crowded into the arena, with ticket proceeds benefiting the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Vanessa Bryant, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal and Diana Taurasi were among those who spoke during the memorial, while Beyonce, Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera performed.
Here is how Los Angeles, the Lakers and the NBA world honored Kobe and Gianna Bryant.
"He was my everything."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020
Vanessa Bryant remembers Kobe at the Celebration of Life. pic.twitter.com/vHb9xP0qmm
"Gigi would have easily become the best player in the WNBA."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020
Vanessa Bryant remembers her daughter, Gianna. pic.twitter.com/9tv3w8wL6a
"As I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020
Michael Jordan on Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/dTSp7VDosP
"Now it's time for us to continue your legacy."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020
Shaq on Kobe's impact. pic.twitter.com/Zw2n3b1aMB
"He just loved his girls and there was nothing in the world that meant more to him."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020
Rob Pelinka on Kobe as a father. pic.twitter.com/rLsdp5zLvE
"Kobe lived to make other people's lives better."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020
Rob Pelinka remembers his friend, Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/URIc9s8l3p
"I mean, who has a turnaround fadeaway jumper at 11? LeBron barely got it today."
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 24, 2020
-Diana Taurasi on Gianna Bryant's game pic.twitter.com/msa31rz5Fh
"He was giving me the blueprint. He was giving Gigi the same blueprint."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020
Sabrina Ionescu on Kobe and Gianna Bryant. pic.twitter.com/2nBSuCZUuf
Beyoncé opens Kobe & Gianna's Celebration of Life with one of his favorite songs.
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020
(via @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/SfcdOhtbLx
Alicia Keys performs her rendition of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata at Kobe & Gianna's Celebration of Life. pic.twitter.com/yzPY3lakWk
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 24, 2020
The best thing I've ever witnessed! Truly inspirational! RIP Kobe and GiGi
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) February 24, 2020
That was a great Celebration of Life ceremony. The strength of Vanessa is so remarkable. Rest In Peace Kobe and Gigi
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) February 24, 2020
Powerful words from everyone who spoke about their relationship with Kobe. We all should live to have that much impact on someone else's life as he did for many. Rest Easy Kobe. We will all Keep Going. 😞🙏🏽
— Justin Anderson (@JusAnderson1) February 24, 2020
The strength Vanessa Bryant just showed is remarkable. #KobeFarewell
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) February 24, 2020
"We promise to carry Gigi's legacy."
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) February 24, 2020
-White Mamba pic.twitter.com/gBPeqzWUyw
2/24 ♾💜💛
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 24, 2020
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) February 24, 2020
What was said after Kobe's death
People closest to Kobe Bryant share the stories they're looking back on ahead of Monday's memorial. -- Ramona Shelburne
The longest flight in Lakers history
The morning after LeBron James passed Kobe Bryant for third in all-time scoring, on the flight home from Philadelphia, the Lakers learned of Bryant's death. -- Dave McMenamin
From the archive: ESPN writers on Kobe
