Jan. 26,2020 the world Stopped

January 26, 2020 11:17AM… you gonna mic Kobe up?

That’s the last text I received from my brother Brandon before heading upstairs to the Mezzanine at the Mamba Sports Academy, patiently waiting Kobe and the rest of the team’s arrival. I remember this day like yesterday. It was different from most.

Surrounded by girls basketball. Top teams were in town from Texas, so the atmosphere was crazy. Excitement building up as Jason Terry’s Drive Nation and the Mambas were set to face off for the 12pm game. Cal Sparks and Cyfair Cooper going at it. Me’Arah and Christy playing on the next court over. It’s now around 11:30am and still no sign of them. The energy shifts. A lot of blank stares, tears, and silence.

I remember talking to Brandon and Jajuan and trying to ponder what the hell is going on. Why is the team sad? What could have happened that quickly? The girls were just walking around enjoying the games and they were getting ready to suit up. Still no sign of Kobe. They’re never this late. The day before, they arrived like clockwork. First walks in Gigi, Payton and Alyssa. Then comes Kobe and Christina. Keri, Sarah, and Brendan. But this day was different. There was no sign of them.

I started contemplating different scenarios in my head. Brandon walks away. He’s gone for a while. Oddly enough, I think to myself… if something happened, it will definitely be on the internet. I know what you’re thinking right. Why would she assume something like that? But how could I be wrong? Look at the world we live in today. The moment something happens, EVERYONE runs to social media. So I pick up my phone to open safari and as soon as I unlock it, my friend Ryan calls asking if we’re okay. Me, being confused, replies with a yes… completely not understanding why until he tells me that TMZ posted,

Kobe dies in a helicopter crash…

Instantly, my heart drops into my stomach and tears start falling. “It’s gotta be true bro. There’s no way they would joke like that. The energy in here is weird. People are crying and we’re trying to figure this shit out. It’s true bro.” I get a call on the other line, at this point I’m hysterical. The rest of the details don’t matter, but as soon as I get off the phone, all I hear is… nothing. Silence. Silence like I’ve never heard before. Kobe is gone and the entire universe has felt it.

Fast forward to today, his birthday and here I am in Texas with the same folks that flew out to Cali just for Kobe. Just to go up against his team and see what the West Coast competition had to offer. I remember that Saturday talking to my guy Shane and not wanting to bug Kobe by introducing him. I remember him saying, don’t worry about it, we’ll see him tomorrow. Tomorrow never came. So here we are today, and as I walk around Shane’s event, I’m reminded by that day. I see all the same faces. Cyfair Cooper. Drive Nation. Jason Terry. Mamba Cup t-shirts printed on the back with Alyssa, Gigi, and Payton.

There’s a certain power in celebrity that I think we all underestimate. Kobe not only was brilliant at his craft, but he was brilliant at being Kobe. His presence, his energy around Women’s basketball was special. He wore a WNBA hoodie to a game, and the basketball world erupted. All the young players he touched by simply saying hello. Reaching out and hugging them to tell them they played a good game. The way he lit up the room with his calm, warm demeanor.

There’s a reason I’m here today. Being reminded of his mark on the Women’s game. There’s a reason that we were able to spend so much time with him before he passed. Every single time, he gave a gem. Every single time he gave something back to the game. Back to his team. Back to the women.

On this day, we remember you. On this day, we honor you and tomorrow 08.24.2020 and every day to follow, we will share in your journey. We will share in your passion for people. We will share in your passion for Women’s sports. Your legacy, will live on forever. Mamba, Forever.

Happy Birthday Kobe.