In a gesture of tribute, one well-known symbol of Southern California will honor another on Thursday evening as the Ferris wheel located at Santa Monica Pier is illuminated to commemorate the late Kobe Bryant.
The esteemed Lakers star's jersey numbers, 8 and 24, will shine in shades of purple and gold as a mark of respect on Kobe Bryant Day.
The date of 8/24 is recognized among fans as Black Mamba Day or simply Mamba Day, thoughtfully chosen to align with Bryant's iconic numbers and to coincide with the day following his birthday. Had he still been with us, Bryant would have celebrated his 45th birthday on the preceding Wednesday.
To mark this significant occasion, Nike has unveiled the Nike Kobe 8 Protro "Halo" shoe. Developed in collaboration with Bryant's widow, Vanessa Bryant, she played an instrumental role in creating the design of the sneaker.
The illumination on the Ferris wheel will be visible from dusk until 11:35 p.m., as detailed in an announcement by Pacific Park in Santa Monica.
Commonly known as "The Black Mamba," Bryant's impact on the sport and his legion of fans is deeply imprinted. On this exceptional day, his legacy will be honored by revisiting three of his most extraordinary and unforgettable achievements during his illustrious career.
The program will pay homage to Bryant's astonishing 81-point performance in January 2006, his heroic display in Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals, and his remarkable farewell in his final NBA game in April 2016.
For those unable to witness the illumination in person, the online audience can watch the lighting ceremony through the livestream at pacpark.com/live.
Kobe Bryant, a five-time NBA champion and esteemed member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, tragically lost his life along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas on January 26, 2020. He was 41 years old at the time.
Get your vintage Mamba tee and commemorate one of the greatest legends in NBA history.