The NBA superstar who perished in a helicopter crash will reportedly be remembered in a special tribute at the upcoming 92nd annual Academy Awards ceremony in February.
- January 30, 2020
AceShowbiz - Late basketball star Kobe Bryant will reportedly be the subject of a special tribute at the 2020 Oscars in February.
The basketball player, 41, was killed in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday, January 26, 2020, alongside eight other passengers, including his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.
Sources told The Hollywood Reporter the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is planning to acknowledge the death of the NBA (National Basketball Association) legend at the awards show on February 9, highlighting his affiliations with the organisation.
In addition to his sporting achievements, Kobe won the Best Animated Short Oscar in 2018 for his five-minute autobiographical short film, "Dear Basketball". The Los Angeles Lakers star wrote, executive produced and lent his voice to the project
After his death, the Academy paid tribute to Bryant in a touching Instagram post, writing, "They doubted a kid could make it in the NBA and he proved them wrong. They doubted he could win a championship and he proved them wrong. They doubted he could make movies and he won an Oscar."
"Like all great artists, Kobe Bryant proved the doubters wrong. Rest in peace."
Other organisations also paid tribute to Kobe - the NBA has postponed the first Los Angeles Lakers game following his death, while he was the subject of several tributes at the Grammys, which took place on Sunday evening.
