Sports World Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant on Lakers Star's 42nd Birthday

NBA legend Kobe Bryant would have turned 42 years old Sunday, his first birthday since he, alongside his daughter, Gianna, and seven others, were killed in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26.

Bryant's birthday comes on the eve of Kobe Bryant Day, which the LA City Council created in 2016 to commemorate him on the date made up of his two jersey numbers. This year, Nike announced that it will pay tribute to Bryant, during “Mamba Week,” which runs from Aug. 23-29. Additionally, when the Lakers meet the Trail Blazers Monday for Game 4 of their series, Los Angeles will wear their special "Black Mamba" uniforms to honor Bryant.

On Sunday, countless figures from around the sports world remembered the all-time great. Here's a look at some of the tributes:

Father, Husband, Laker, Oscar Winner, Girl Dad, Author, Black Mamba, Champion, Mentor, Hall of Famer. Kobe Bryant ∞ pic.twitter.com/yyxRzbuToz
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 23, 2020

Happy 42nd Birthday my guy. You are missed!!! 🐍🙏🏽 #Mambaforever #KobeBeanBryant pic.twitter.com/sWrHAHWWLn
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) August 23, 2020

Was never not around Kobe and wasn't in awe!! He made everyone want to be better. Happy birthday giant!!! 😪🙌🏾🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/yBxf7tVNQO
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) August 23, 2020

Heroes come and go, but legends are forever. 💜💛 #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/hyG7X0bipC
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) August 23, 2020

Happy Birthday #8 & #24 ❤️ miss you!
— Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) August 23, 2020

🐐🐐 https://t.co/hwflFjuQHW
— Langston Galloway (@LangGalloway10) August 23, 2020

❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/DxeesC67UG
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 23, 2020

Happy Birthday Kobe 🧡 pic.twitter.com/yP9N1XXSrg
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 23, 2020

Remembering Kobe 💜💛 8.23.78 pic.twitter.com/l5dh9G6Vwl
— NBA (@NBA) August 23, 2020

Happy birthday Kobe! 🙏🏾 🕊
RestInPeace. #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/vPKXzVx9jG
— Clint Capela (@CapelaClint) August 23, 2020

Happy Birthday We miss You Kobe!! You set the bar, inspired & influenced so many! You personified true greatness and leave a legacy any hooper would dream of! On what would have been your 42nd Birthday we honor you!! #RIP #Mamba #KobeForever
✊🏾😎✊🏾

pic.twitter.com/tH0ncCtZjk
— Quentin Richardson (@QRich) August 23, 2020

💜 𝐌𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐀 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 💛

Happy Birthday Kobe. pic.twitter.com/UCZpDurYh9
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) August 23, 2020

♾ Forever ♾ pic.twitter.com/gA1zLMWmCl
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 23, 2020

Happy birthday, Kobe.
We love you. We miss you. 🤍#MambaForever 🐍♾ pic.twitter.com/TIFWHphR3J
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 23, 2020

Better me. Better you. Better us. #MambaForever 💜🖤 https://t.co/8aa23ZAiPI
— Paul Rabil (@PaulRabil) August 23, 2020

Mamba 💜🐍💛
— Justise Winslow (@IAmJustise) August 23, 2020

From the hearts of @DwyaneWade, @LisaLeslie, @derekfisher, @jewellloyd, @jaytatum0, @Arike_O and @sabrina_i20.

Love you always, Kobe. pic.twitter.com/XkzuXrCJTs
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) August 23, 2020

Happy birthday brother.

Kobe taught us to be better. A better scorer, better mentor, better father, better champion. Today, on his birthday, we continue his endless pursuit of better. 💜💛 #MambaMentality #TeamNike @Nike @nikebasketball pic.twitter.com/M7OiPrA4F0
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 23, 2020

🙏🏽 happy birthday 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/569dWzKSoK
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) August 23, 2020

Better | Mamba Forever | Nike
💜💛 #MambaMentality #TeamNike pic.twitter.com/ccqEs5ps4z
— Jewell B Loyd (@jewellloyd) August 23, 2020

Special kicks on a special day 💜💛@Candace_Parker | #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/DULmAsogtD
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) August 23, 2020

♾ pic.twitter.com/ynspwyznRW
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 24, 2020