Elite High School Stars Thank Kobe Bryant on Year Anniversary of his Death
A year after the deaths of NBA icon Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, the sting continues to linger around the world.
RELATED: No. 1 girls basketball star Azzi Fudd writes an open letter to her late friends Kobe and Gigi Bryant
Still, on the year anniversary, the focus on social media was all about honoring the late Lakers star.
From world leaders to actors to musicians, the outpouring of love and memories remained a trending topic on all major social media platforms throughout the day.
Keeping with that theme, Sports Illustrated caught up with a handful of elite high school players in the video above who simply wanted to thank the Black Mamba for his impact on their games and lives.
RELATED: Kentucky commit Skyy Clark dedicates career to Kobe Bryant
Bryant and Gianna, along with seven other people, were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Los Angeles on Jan. 26, 2020.
Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy combo guard Skyy Clark, a junior who is committed to Kentucky said he was dedicating his career to the memory of Bryant.
Three days after Bryant passed, Clark had "8:24" tattooed on his rib in honor of the two numbers Bryant wore throughout his career.
RELATED: Elite HS Players Talk Kobe Bryant's Impact
“We’ll never get another icon like him. It still hurts that he’s not here, but just doing everything I can to make his name live on through my preparation and respect of the game he devoted his life to is something I’m always focused on.”