Locals pay tribute to Kobe Bryant: Philadelphia native, Lower Merion High School grad and NBA star

January 26, 2020

Visitors placed jerseys, flowers, basketballs and other items outside Bryant Gymnasium at Lower Merion High School to memorialize Bryant. PHOTO: LUKE MALANGA ’20/THE HAWK

Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant died this morning in a helicopter crash alongside his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other passengers. Bryant was accompanying Gianna to a travel basketball game when the helicopter crashed in the hills of Calabasas, California.

A father and son look on at the memorial outside of the Bryant Gymnasium at Lower Merion High School. PHOTO: LUKE MALANGA ’20/THE HAWK

Bryant was born and raised in Philadelphia and attended Lower Merion High School. This afternoon, a growing memorial was put together outside of the gym named after Bryant. Individuals left flowers, candles and basketballs alongside his Lower Merion and Lakers jerseys.

“He was homegrown,” Nate Eller, a native of Ardmore said while at the memorial outside Bryant Gymnasium. “He is a local boy. Philadelphia is very passionate about their own people. It is a sad day for the community.”

Two teenagers hold candles to commemorate Bryant. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

During his time at Lower Merion High School, Bryant broke the Southeastern Pennsylvania record for most points with 2,883, passing Wilt Chamberlain on the way. After his senior season, he was named Naismith High School Player of the Year, Gatorade Player of the Year and was selected First Team All-American.

“He was a role model for so many people,” said Alana James, a current student at Lower Merion High School. “Not only in this community but all over. It is a tragedy.”

A visitor pays respects to Bryant beside the memorial at Lower Merion High School. PHOTO: MITCHELL SHIELDS ’22/THE HAWK

Bryant was also a regular customer at Larry’s Steaks on 54th street next to St. Joe’s campus. Bryant’s go-to order was the “belly-filler” cheesesteak with mayonnaise and fried onions. On the walls hang photos of the NBA star. Moataz Ebid, manager of Larry’s, said when Bryant would come to the store he was “nice to all the people” there.

“The people love him,” Ebid said. “They would come in here and eat a cheesesteak with him and join him and he was a friendly friendly guy.”

Ebid poses with Bryant in a photo. PHOTO COURTESY OF MOATAZ EBID

St. Joe’s men’s basketball sent out a statement on Twitter in response to Bryant’s death writing, “From the neighborhood playgrounds in West Philly, to All-American honors at Lower Merion, to NBA Champion, and ultimately a basketball legend. Saint Joseph’s joins the world in mourning the passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the other families who lost love ones in today’s tragic accident. We extend our love, prayers and support in this time of heartache.”

Bryant was drafted straight out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets and was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on draft day in 1996. Bryant would go on to play 20 seasons in the NBA, all with the Lakers.

St. Joe’s freshman Cole Hudnut came out to the memorial after hearing about it on social media.

“It shows that someone can go from being local to all the way to the top,” Hudnut said. “Five time NBA Champion. Changed the game of basketball. He is from right here. Hometown hero.”