NBA -- A Tribute: Remembering “Cory” Bryant and Trash Can Three-Pointers
By Katareena Carysse Roska
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 29 Jan 2022
My mother always messed up names.
She’d say Noel instead of Noah, Marky instead of Marcus, Evan instead of Ethan and so on.
The "murdering" of names got worse with the hundreds of sports stars that my dad adored. There were too many common names with too many unfamiliar faces.
I shared the same problem as my mom's.
The only star I always remembered however, was Kobe Bryant.
Dubbed the GOAT, the Greatest of All Time, the Black Mamba, and so many other nicknames—Kobe Bryant stuck out to me the most during my most formative years living in Los Angeles. It was a name I heard nearly everyday.
Kobe was one of the easiest talking points for any native Angeleno. When the weather and traffic got too boring, people moved on to the Lakers. From the 2000s to the 2010s, and well into his retirement in 2016, Kobe was the main event.
Even as a seven year old, I knew what the boys on the playground were referencing whenever they exclaimed “Kobe!” before tossing a paper ball into a trash can, mimicking a three-pointer and the roar of a Staples Center crowd right after. When kids asked me if I knew any basketball players, or sports players in general, my first answer was always Kobe Bryant.
I had swim practice on January 26, 2020. I was no athlete, but I woke up early that day to get ready. My dad walked into my room with a serious face and seemingly shocked at the breaking news article emanating from the glow on his phone.
“Kobe Bryant died.”
“You’re lying, stop joking,” I protested.
“I’m not.” He showed the phone to me.
“Yeah, but that’s TMZ. Who the hell are they to say Kobe died? They could get sued for fake news like that.”
“Scroll down. Check your phone. I wish it was a joke Casey.”
It seemed like a bad dream that I couldn’t wake up from. I hadn’t followed Kobe or basketball all that closely, but he was always there in the back of my mind as someone invincible. I was excited to see him grow old.
The only thing that hit me harder the day I heard about his death, was his daughter’s. Gianna Bryant was only older than me by a mere month.
I arrived at swim practice effectively discouraged. Everyone had heard the news by the time I got there. We were all very quiet throughout the workout.
I wasn’t in the mood, to say the least. Just as I was about to give up on my last lap and leave the pool, some tiny kid with the biggest purple and gold goggles I’d ever seen piped up.
“Come on! Do it for Kobe!”
And I did. I swam that last lap instead of climbing out. The rest of the team followed suit.
You’ll notice a purple and gold motif that have decorated the alleys and streets of Los Angeles since January 26, 2020. The numbers “8” and “24” are nearly everywhere. There are still shrines and memorials to Kobe and Gianna. And every time I pass by them, a twinge of heartache hits me.
Kobe was the late night entertainment that my dad begged me to change the Disney channel for. He was a conversation starter for my dad and I, and how I learned about basketball.
Kobe Bryant was the man on the TV my mom screamed “YES! LET’S GO CORY BRYANT!” at after he scored a point for the Lakers when victory seemed far from their reach. I’d correct her every time, but “Cory” Bryant became a running joke every time a Lakers game was on.
To every individual citizen of Los Angeles, Kobe means something special to them.
I realized then that late January of 2020, that Kobe was more than the Lakers or a Hall of Famer basketball player.
And despite the hundreds of points he scored and titles won, Kobe’s greatest achievement will always be his transcension beyond basketball and the legacy he left behind as a dedicated man defined by hard work and defying limits.
The NBA misses the Black Mamba.
The city of Angels misses Kobe Bryant.
I miss Cory Bryant.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A 15 year old high school sophomore, Katareena Roska is an aspiring writer who hopes to get more experience in journalism and media. Like any other teenage girl, Katareena’s a Swiftie at heart and a major fan of Phoebe Bridgers, but she loves all genres of music. Her hobbies and interests include art, fashion, film, reading, and boxing.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Katareena Carysse Roska.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
MANNY PACQUIAO IN CANASTOTA, NY (PHOTOS)
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 08 Jun 2025Introducing The Spartan Series: Vegas Fight Experience — Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
Sun, 08 Jun 2025RESULTS FROM TONIGHT’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” PRESENTED BY SALITA PROMOTIONS & ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT LIVE ON DAZN AT THE TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO
Sat, 07 Jun 2025Davis vs De Los Santos: The Fight That Never Was
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 07 Jun 20252 Filipino grandmasters join Touchmove chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 07 Jun 2025Keyshawn Davis Fight Canceled After Weight Miss, Mason-Nakathila Elevated to Main Event
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 07 Jun 2025Eumir Marcial Set to Battle Alexis Gaytán in Pacquiao's Comeback Show
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 07 Jun 2025SUNDAY: Fabio Turchi-Milans Volkovs Cruiserweight Showdown Headlines Italy Fight Card LIVE in the U.S. on ESPN+
Sat, 07 Jun 2025Bomogao KOs Rubio in 1st round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 07 Jun 2025REYES CUP SET FOR ELECTRIFYING RETURN TO MANILA, OCTOBER 16–19
Sat, 07 Jun 2025King's Promotions June 19th Card at Wind Creek Event Center is Postponed Card Rescheduled for September 5th
Sat, 07 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 7 - AMATEUR BOXING CAREER OF MUHAMMAD ALI
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 06 Jun 2025Indiana, Haliburton Do It Again, Pacers Shock OKC on the Road, 111-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 06 Jun 2025STAR BOXING PRESENTS SPECIAL PRESS CONFERENCE-MONDAY
Fri, 06 Jun 2025Undefeated Super Bantamweight Chavez Barrientes Returns June 7th Against Sharone Carter on Most Valuable Prospects 13 Card
Fri, 06 Jun 2025