January 26, 2020 will be a day sports fans will never forget and the morning after the death of Kobe Bryant, we’re still reading and watching all the coverage, refreshing Twitter for all the personal stories from those close to him and those who were inspired by Kobe Bryant.
Below is a compilation of college basketball people whether it’s coaches, media, players and others reacting to Kobe Bryant’s death at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash Sunday.
Michigan State’s Cassius Winston and Tom Izzo
Wow. pic.twitter.com/f3iDUPBABT
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 26, 2020
ESPN’s Jay Williams
— Erik Buchinger (@ImErikBuchinger) January 26, 2020
UCLA transfer Shareef O’Neal (Shaq’s son)
Literally this morning you reached out to me ….? I love you forever unc❤️ I love you pic.twitter.com/3oVgvKKUkm
— Shareef O’Neal (@SSJreef) January 26, 2020
NCAA
We join the sporting world in remembering Kobe Bryant, his many contributions to the sport of basketball, and his inspiration to countless boys and girls to play the game.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the Bryant family and the other families who lost loved ones today. pic.twitter.com/JwjElSONX3
— NCAA (@NCAA) January 27, 2020
Stadium’s Jeff Goodman
I just landed to the news about Kobe Bryant. Absolutely shocking. The thing about Kobe Bryant is he almost seemed invincible. I won’t pretend to have some close relationship with him, but always appreciated his candid approach in interactions. No BS and that’s so rare.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) January 26, 2020
Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim
#Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim offers his thoughts on #Kobe‘s legacy tonight.
While calling in to an ESPN Radio national show, Boeheim shared a story of Kobe’s workmanlike approach to the Olympic Games.@CNYCentral pic.twitter.com/PKE994PvSG
— Matt Hauswirth (@matthaus_CNY) January 27, 2020
Former Kentucky player Rex Chapman
Kobe was 11-yrs younger than myself. I got hot one night in LA. He was 19. And WILD. He leaned over and asked me during a FT, “Rex, how much do you shoot in the summer?” I said, “Every day. Hundreds of jumpers.” …Kobe was always curious. Always thinking. Always competing.??
— Rex Chapman?? (@RexChapman) January 26, 2020
Fox Sports’ Tim Brando
All of us mourn his loss,however let this be a reminder to all that anyone crossing into our lives at any level ya gotta be loving towards everyday! It’s so fragile this world we live in.We just need to own our feelings for one another. Help others & INFLUENCE as Kobe Bryant did!
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) January 27, 2020
Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) January 26, 2020
ESPN’s Holly Rowe
Devastated. @kobebryant was always great with me. His support of women’s sports & those of us that cover them was unwavering. The last thing he said to me was, “If you ever need anything, I got you.” Grateful for his gracious spirit. ❤️ is breaking for his family #Kobe pic.twitter.com/sMaCQrjiN5
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) January 26, 2020
Kentucky’s John Calipari
No words work on a day like today; only a prayer:
Lord, we all mourn the untimely death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and the others who lost their lives today. May you grant eternal rest to them, O Lord; and let your light perpetually shine upon them. Amen. ??
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) January 26, 2020
Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde
My only interactions with Kobe were at the Olympics, and man did he shine there as a citizen of the world. He attended so many different events and supported so many other athletes. I remember how thrilled the U.S. swimmers were when he came to cheer for them.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) January 26, 2020
ESPN’s Rece Davis
with which he attacked basketball. He lit up talking about coaching his daughter’s teams. I still use a question he said he always asked when evaluating a coach: “What do you do to make yourself a better coach?” RIP Mamba. Legend. Prayers to his family, friends & many admirers.
— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) January 26, 2020
Villanova’s Jay Wright
Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant - a sad day for all of sports - Kobe was a pioneer and legendary ambassador for the game of basketball . Thoughts and prayers go out to Kobe’s family . https://t.co/kn03JPIjzb
— Jay Wright (@VUCoachJWright) January 26, 2020
CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish
Today shook me good. I just tried to put the computer down and hold my children till they fell asleep. Imagining Kobe and Gianna in those final moments crushes me. Forget basketball. A woman lost a husband and a daughter. Three girls lost their dad and sister. Heartbreaking.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) January 27, 2020
Oregon women’s Sabrina Ionescu
Sabrina Ionescu mourns her friend Kobe Bryant ahead of her game against Oregon State. pic.twitter.com/urdYuFSNW5
— espnW (@espnW) January 26, 2020
ESPN’s Dick Vitale
The one quality that led Kobe to all time stardom was his incredible desire to always chase success . To be the BEST was always his objective . His preparation & work ethic separated him from many .It was the MAMBA mentality that drove Kobe to be the ultimate winner .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 27, 2020
Gonzaga’s Mark Few
“I always appreciated that he knew about the Zags and what they were all about.”
Gonzaga men’s basketball (@zagmbb) head coach Mark Few weighs in on the tragic death of Kobe Bryant.
The Black Mamba surprised the Zags during a film session at the Final Four in 2017. pic.twitter.com/8qGGA6EHbC
— Taylor Brooks (@TaylorBrooksTV) January 27, 2020
ESPN’s Dan Dakich
This picture…Pacers PR going crazy..NBA Security threatening me w whatever NBA security can threaten…Kobe saw a couple kids and couldn’t have been cooler…folks don’t sweat the nonsense and the self important GO MAKE MEMORIES!! https://t.co/rnRhB9nX8y
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) January 26, 2020
CBS Sports’ and The Athletic’s Seth Davis
We’ll never forget where we were and what we were doing and how we learned the news.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) January 26, 2020
Keep the conversation going by reaching out to Erik Buchinger on Twitter or email erik@deceptivespeed.com.