Remembering Lower Merion's Kobe Bryant 1 Year Later

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — On Jan. 26, 2020 the basketball world lost one of its most notable ambassadors when Kobe Bryant and several others died in a helicopter crash in California.

The news hit countless people around the world like a punch in the gut, but Lower Merion Township and the surrounding area were particularly impacted due to Bryant's ties to the region.

Before Bryant became a worldwide and world-class superstar on the basketball court, he was a standout hoopster on the Main Line.

Born in Philadelphia, he attended Lower Merion High School and lived in Wynnewood.

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While at Lower Merion, Bryant was obviously a standout basketball star and led the Aces to their first state championship in 1996, his senior year. He was number 33.

Bryant was drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played for 20 years, retiring in 2016.

Following Bryant's untimely death, the Lower Merion School District paid tribute to him on Feb. 1, 2020 between two games at Kobe Bryant Gymnasium in Lower Merion High School. Outside the gym is a display featuring memorabilia from Bryant's time with the Aces.

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The district said Bryant "raised the profile of the high school and our District throughout the world."

"Our school community will always be grateful for his ongoing generosity to his alma mater, including his dedication of our Kobe Bryant Gymnasium and his support of our boys' and girls' basketball teams," the district said in a statement.

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Gregg Downer coached Bryant for all four years of his high school career and said he was shocked and devastated to hear the news of Bryant's death.

"Aces Nation has lost its heartbeat," Downer said in a statement to the district.

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The district also said Bryant's English teacher Jeanne Mastriano sparked his love of writing, which contributed to his short film "Dear Basketball" and led Bryant to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Short in 2018.

"Mr. Bryant's connection to Lower Merion High School where he played basketball prior to joining NBA has raised the profile of our high school and our district throughout the world," Amy Buckman, Director of School & Community Relations, said outside the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium following his death. "The entire Lower Merion School District community sends its deepest condolences to Mr. Bryant's family."

After his death, fans paid tribute to Bryant outside the gymnasium by placing flowers, photos, memorabilia, and more at the gym's doors. The gym was dedicated to Bryant in 2010; he donated $411,000 for its construction.