‘Life is just too short’: UGA Bulldogs across all sports mourn Kobe Bryant’s death
Georgia’s postgame media session had a somber addition on Sunday: a box of tissues.
NBA legend and icon Kobe Bryant died Sunday morning in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, according to reports. Bryant’s 13-year old daughter Gianna was among four others reportedly on board.
The University of Georgia Bulldogs joined the world in mourning the tragic death Sunday.
Bryant’s mark on the game of basketball over the course of his 41 years of life can’t be overstated. One of the greatest players in NBA history, he also championed women’s college basketball and the WNBA.
Georgia head coach Joni Taylor, in disbelief, said she asked a team spokesperson if he was sure the news had been confirmed when she was told after the team’s 88-53 loss to No. 1 South Carolina.
“He just means so much not only to the game of basketball, but to the game of women’s basketball,” Taylor said. “He was a fan, he was at the Final Four, his daughters played. He supported college basketball, the WNBA, all levels. He was a champion for us.”
Taylor broke the news to her players after the game, as did South Carolina coach Dawn Staley.
Sophomore guard Shaniya Jones had tears in her eyes as she sat through postgame interviews. She dabbed her eyes as teammate Stephanie Paul called Bryant’s death “shocking.”
“You’ve just got to look at it like life is just too short,” Jones said. “Every day when we come on the court, we’ve just got to take advantage of just playing the game. Everybody doesn’t know when it’s their time.”
One of Bryant’s distinguishing traits was his work ethic, his relentless drive to be the best player on the court. Taylor said that’s something everyone, athlete or not, can relate to.
That’s just part of the legacy that Kobe Bryant leaves behind after his death on Sunday at the age of 41.
“From everything that I’ve watched and I’ve seen, he lived his life to the fullest,” Taylor said. “We’ll be praying for his family and for everyone because this is a hard one to swallow. But God makes no mistakes. He makes no mistakes. We just have to trust in His plan and pray for his family.”
This story was originally published January 26, 2020 at 5:57 PM.