The Arab World Says Goodbye to Basketball Legend Kobe Bryant

Basketball fans around the world are struck with grief over the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash in California. The two were among the nine victims when the aircraft came down in Calabasas.

One of the all-time greatest players of the game, Bryant spent his career playing for the LA Lakers establishing himself as a five-time NBA champion.

All over the Arab World, celebrities, influencers, and fellow sports figures sent their thoughts and prayers to the mourning family sharing personal stories of and encounters with the late NBA star, E! even dedicated a heartfelt poem to the basketball legend.

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Dear Basketball, From the moment I started rolling my dad’s tube socks And shooting imaginary Game-winning shots In the Great Western Forum I knew one thing was real: I fell in love with you. A love so deep I gave you my all — From my mind & body To my spirit & soul. As a six-year-old boy Deeply in love with you I never saw the end of the tunnel. I only saw myself Running out of one. And so I ran. I ran up and down every court After every loose ball for you. You asked for my hustle I gave you my heart Because it came with so much more. I played through the sweat and hurt Not because challenge called me But because YOU called me. I did everything for YOU Because that’s what you do When someone makes you feel as Alive as you’ve made me feel. You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream And I’ll always love you for it. But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer. This season is all I have left to give. My heart can take the pounding My mind can handle the grind But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye. And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go. I want you to know now So we both can savor every moment we have left together. The good and the bad. We have given each other All that we have. And we both know, no matter what I do next I’ll always be that kid With the rolled up socks Garbage can in the corner :05 seconds on the clock Ball in my hands. 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 Love you always, Kobe

A post shared by E! News (@enews) on Jan 26, 2020 at 8:51pm PST

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Me dressed up as a 6-year old #LALakers super fan. 🏀 Besides showing u what a ham I WAS☝🏼at 6… I wanted to share this photo because as you can see I wasn’t dressed as a @lakers cheerleader like most girls… Instead I was dressed as a player- not just Bc I was a tomboy, but because for me first @magicjohnson and then @kobebryant— were everything! They were super human on the court… and super into giving back to humanity off of it… And I wanted to be just like them- killer in my field, but using any success to give back to my community. I hope that when we pray for Kobe & his family 💔 we also look at the man & his legacy beyond his record-setting career, and what he was doing for women in sports, sports in youth, and the city of LA! God bless! 🙌🏼 #Mamba #RIPMamba #RIPmambacita #Mambacita #MambaOut #BlackMamba #Lakers #KobeBryant #GigiBryant شكلي بعمر ٦ سنوات بلبس "الليكرز" 🏀 عكس البنات اللي كانوا بعمري بلبس المشجعات، كان اختياري اني اقدم نفسي كلاعبة لأن "ماجيك جونسون" و "كوبي براينت" كانوا كل شي! قبل ما يكونوا لاعبين محترفين كانوا بشر يدعمون الانسانية باحتراف، بالملعب و غيره، و طموحي بالحياة كان اني اصير مثلهم. اتمنى لما ندعي لكوبي و عائلته 💔 نتذكر نظرتنا للرجل و بنته و انجازاتهم لدعم رياضة النساء و الشباب! #كوبي_براينت #ليكرز

A post shared by Marriam Mossalli 🇸🇦 مريم مصلي (@marriam.mossalli) on Jan 27, 2020 at 1:21am PST

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My heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of Kobe and of those who died in the terrible accident.🙏🏼🙏🏼😥

A post shared by Mohamed Salah (@mosalah) on Jan 27, 2020 at 1:25am PST

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Life is so precious .. always remember to show your love to all who matter to you , every minute of every day .. no one knows their time #rip #kobebryant

A post shared by Deenathe1st (@deenathe1st) on Jan 26, 2020 at 2:43pm PST

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This is too much. Rest In Peace and love together, legends. Growing up a Kobe fan brought so much joy to my life, like so many, and we were all so excited to see sweet Gigi play someday. Sending strength and my deepest condolences to Vanessa, the Bryant family, and all the families affected by this tragedy.

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Jan 26, 2020 at 1:10pm PST

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💔I can’t believe this…Rest in Peace King and baby G…. thinking about Vanessa and their beautiful family during this time..I continue to go through photographs and still, this doesn’t seem real.. la loves you so deeply

A post shared by Bella 🦋 (@bellahadid) on Jan 26, 2020 at 11:58am PST

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Heartbroken.. life is tooooo short..count ur blessings… value the people that love you and make the most of each moment . My deepest condolences to the Bryant family🖤

A post shared by Imaan Hammam (@imaanhammam) on Jan 26, 2020 at 1:08pm PST

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Legends live forever ❤️👑

A post shared by SHANINA SHAIK (@shaninamshaik) on Jan 26, 2020 at 1:05pm PST

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So sad. 💔RIP Mamba. Prayers for the family 🤲🏽. Life too short sometimes. Don’t take it for granted. Damn. I wasn’t even into basketball until Kobe came to Dubai and I was chosen to play in the team he coached. Ever since I started living basket ball. Thanks man. #ripkobebryant #ripgigi

A post shared by DJ BLISS (@djblissdubai) on Jan 26, 2020 at 11:46am PST

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A post shared by Ruba Abu-Nimah (@ruba) on Jan 26, 2020 at 11:52am PST

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I can’t believe this terrible news. I met Kobe in 2013 for a philanthropic basketball initiative I was hosting for university students in Dubai and over the next few months he was so supportive with any and all of my crazy ideas for charity. I’m heartbroken that an educated, respectful and humble soul has left us. RIP Legend & to your daughter who left with you. My thoughts are with your wife & family 💔#KobeBryant

A post shared by Jessica Kahawaty جيسيكا قهواتي (@jessicakahawaty) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:59pm PST

WE SAID THIS: The world is mourning the death of this legend. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the nine victims.