Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna honored at NAACP Image Awards with an empty basketball court
The 51st National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Image Awards on Saturday night saw a touching tribute to late NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his teenage daughter Gianna. On January 26, the two along with seven others were killed in a helicopter crash.
The annual awards show, honoring the achievements and performances of people of color, remembered Bryant in a segment that began with the stage turned into an empty, dark basketball court. An audio clip that featured Bryant thanking his fans at a Lakers game was played as memorable moments from Bryant’s career and life were displayed on a screen, paired against a backdrop of purple and gold lights.
Two banners later unfurled with the numbers “8” and “24”. They were Bryant’s jersey numbers while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. “Thank you guys for all your sacrifice,” Bryant said in the video. “What can I say? Mamba out.” The segment ended with a photo of Bryant and Gianna embracing.
A public memorial event for Kobe, Gianna and the seven other victims is set to take place at the Staples Center on Monday, February 24.
The NAACP Image Awards was hosted by ‘Black-ish’ star Anthony Anderson, who along with Tracee Ellis Ross, received “Outstanding Comedy Series” and lead acting accolades for the show.
At the event, Ava DuVernay’s critically acclaimed limited series ‘When They See Us’ won the award for “Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special”. Jharrel Jerome and Niecy Nash won awards for their roles in the Netflix series as well.
Additionally, ‘Just Mercy’ won “Outstanding Motion Picture”, “Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture” as well as acting wins for actors Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. Lupita Nyong’o was honored for her performance in ‘Us’. Both films were snubbed at the Academy Awards.