Vanessa Bryant hails Kobe's induction into basketball Hall of Fame 2020 class as the 'peak of his NBA career'
NBA legend Kobe Bryant will reportedly be posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame along with other NBA and WNBA greats such as Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. Shortly after the Hall of Fame announcement, Bryant’s wife Vanessa called Bryant’s selection the “peak of his N.B.A career”.
Fox News reported that the Hall of Fame's announcement was delayed from the NCAA's Final Four weekend in Atlanta after the tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. John Doleva, the president and CEO of the Hall of Fame, said this class was "undoubtedly one of the most historic of all time”.
“In 2020, the basketball community has suffered the unimaginable loss of iconic figures Commissioner David Stern and Kobe Bryant, as well as the game itself due to COVID-19," Doleva said. "We have also banded together like never before in appreciation of the game and those who have made it the uniting force it is today."
“The highest of congratulations to you, dear friend," Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement. "This one is so well deserved -- for all the hard work, sweat and toil. Now, a part of you will live in the Hall with the rest of the all-time greats, where your legend and spirit will continue to grow forever.”
The other names in the Hall of Fame are Tamika Catchings, a WNBA legend; coach Eddie Sutton, who was the head of Oklahoma State’s men’s team from 1991 to 2006; coach Kim Mulkey, who has led Baylor’s women’s team and coach Rudy Tomjanovich, who led the Houston Rockets to two championships.
Bryant, the former Los Angeles Lakers star died on January 26 in a helicopter crash outside of Calabasas, California. Of the nine people who died in the crash, was also Bryant’s daughter Gianna. His death was mourned not only by the entire basketball community in the U.S. but also by people across the globe.
Shortly after the Hall of Fame announcement, Bryant’s wife Vanessa called Bryant’s selection the “peak of his NBA career”.
Vanessa, speaking to ESPN after the announcement said: “It’s an incredible accomplishment and honor, and we’re extremely proud of him. Obviously, we wish that he was here with us to celebrate. But it’s definitely the peak of his NBA career. And every accomplishment that he had as an athlete was a stepping stone to be here.”
“So, we’re incredibly proud of him,” said Vanessa, tearing up. “There’s some solace in knowing that he was probably going to be part of the 2020 Hall of fame class."