As today marks the second anniversary of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi’s tragic death, fans remember the lasting impact the duo has left on the sports community around the world. The Los Angeles Lakers’ prodigy passed away in a helicopter crash with his daughter and others on board, leaving fans, friends and family members devastated. Today fans continue to mourn the loss of the icon and remember his achievements.

After winning five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVPs, and countless other awards, he is truly one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game. Even after his retirement to the game at 35-years-old, he continued to inspire athletes, or frankly anyone chasing their dreams, to have that ‘Mamba Mentality’ and be the best version of themselves. 

Despite being known for his remarkable 20 years with the Lakers, his “girl dad” status remained his greatest achievement. Once he passed, #girldad trended on every social media platform. From famous actors, to athletes, to the everyday father, fathers posted photos of them with their daughters, honoring the best parts of being a #girldad. Kobe embodied the joys of having daughters and was passionate about showing society that the stereotype around fathers only wanting sons does not exist. 

Today the Lakers’ record coincidentally stands at 24-24, proving that Kobe’s legacy and energy remains with us two years later. 

Bryant was a devoted athlete, husband, dad and role model determined to inspire people and change the world for the better. Everything he did was in hopes of leaving the world better than he found it. He wanted to put his all into everything to show the unrelenting ‘Mamba Mentality’ is applicable in all parts of life. “It’s the one thing you can control. You are responsible for how people remember you, or don’t. So don’t take it lightly,” Bryant said.