NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement on the 5-year anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s passing: “Kobe Bryant continues to serve as an inspiration to aspiring and current NBA and WNBA players, young athletes playing at all levels and those who are motivated solely by his relentless pursuit of excellence.

A wave of tributes poured in online to commemorate the life of the late Kobe Bryant, whose 2020 death shook the sports world.

The impact of Bryant’s career, and the ‘Mamba Mentality,’ carry on in the kind of way that almost makes you forget that he’s gone.

Kobe Bryant, who spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, made an indelible impact on both his team and the area throughout his life. Bryant, an 18-time All-Star, led the team to five NBA championships in a 10-year span,