Sports fans honoured Kobe Bryant on 23 August 2026. He would have turned 50. News outlets published features on his best games and his iconic look. Nike brought back the Kobe 10 trainers with modern tweaks for the day. The Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier was illuminated in purple and gold shades.
Admirers shared tributes online. Other players did too. Bryant died in a fatal accident in January 2020. His daughter Gianna died in the crash as well. Seven other people died in that same crash.