The Tribune

By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

As “Kobe” fans world wide, still try to come to grips with his passing.

A public memorial for the victims of the Jan. 26 helicopter crash that killed nine people, including Kobe and his daughter Gianna ‘Mambacita’ Bryant, reportedly will be held on Febuary 24, according to Richard Winston of the Los Angeles Times.

Still in the early planning stage, the memorial will take place at Staples Center.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said last week that a memorial was in the works, but the city was still figuring out the logistics:

“There will absolutely be a memorial to mark the contributions of this incredible man and not only him, but to commemorate the loss of his daughter and all the other families that were there.

We don’t have that date finalized but we’ve been talking every day to the Lakers, and most importantly, to [Bryant’s widow, Vanessa] as well.

I think one message that I would say is this is not just about a man who was a basketball player, this is about a father, this is about a leader, this is about a filmmaker, this is about an artist, this is about somebody who was so much more than just how he was on the court.”

Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others were taking a helicopter to Thousand Oaks for a basketball game at the Mamba Sports Academy when it nose dived into a hillside in Calabasas, California, killing everyone on board.

John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah and Payton Chester, Christina Mauser and pilot Ara Zobayan all died in the crash.

Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester were Gianna’s teammates on the team that Bryant coached.

The Los Angeles Lakers previously paid homage to Kobe and Gianna and the other victims of the crash prior to and during their January 31 home game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Hopefully the soon to come memorial at Staples Center is inclusive of a statue of “The Black Mamba” and his little “Mambacita”.

I’m just saying!