Good morning. I’m Max Harris along with Emily Wright for today’s Ram Report. As many of you are aware, Kobe Bryant, former shooting guard for the LA Lakers and his daughter Gianna Bryant, passed away in a helicopter crash this past Sunday morning. Bryant was one of the most distinguished and influential alumni from the Lower Merion School District community. In mourning his passing, we dedicate this show to his legacy and his impact. We now turn to Eli Feldman for more information on the tragic event.
Eli with Sports – Thanks Max. On As many of you are aware, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant, along with 7 other passengers, passed away from a helicopter crash on this past Sunday morning. Kobe, a student at Lower Merion High School, won the team the state championship in 1996. From there, he was drafted and in the NBA, Kobe was a superstar from day 1, a person who redefined the shooting guard position and showed everyone the type of intensity and dedication it takes to be great. Kobe, an MVP, 2 time Finals MVP, 18 time all star, 5 time NBA finals winner, also the recipient of many other awards, spent his entire 20 year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. On Sunday evening, many students gathered at Lower Merion High School to pay tribute to Bryant and his greatness. Basketballs, flowers, and other tributes were placed outside of the famous Kobe Bryant Gymnasium. The coach of the Lower Merion Boys Basketball Team, Gregg Downer, who formerly coached Bryant from 1992-1996 issued a statement on the passing. In the statement, Downer said, “It may seem odd for a grown man to admit it, but yesterday I lost my hero. Never have I witnessed such passion, work ethic, and intensity — such a unique and purposeful drive for greatness. No excuses. No shortcuts. No days off. Kobe set the standard. He was our superman.” Bryant’s death came the day after another Laker, LeBron James, passed Kobe for 3rd all time on the NBA career scoring list. Kobe, his daughter, and the 7 other passengers will be missed. We now turn to Sam Catania and Adam Gilbert for a story on Kobe Bryant.
Video: Kobe Bryant, Lower Merion HS Alumnus, Killed in Helicopter Crash
Thank you Adam and Sam for your report. In addition to his extraordinary legacy on an international scale, Kobe Bryant had an incredible impact on the Lower Merion community. We now turn to a report by Sam Catania highlighting this.
Video: Kobe Bryant’s Impact on Lower Merion
Sam in the Studio – On behalf of all of us here at Harriton TV, it is with great sadness that we dedicate this show to the late alumnus Kobe Bryant. Kobe will not be forgotten by this district for his impact on our schools, our community, and the world as a whole. Next show, we hope to highlight Harriton’s recent accomplishments in the basketball game against Lower Merion; however, we felt it would be inappropriate to combine that success with the great tragedy that has plagued our district. I will now turn it over back to Emily and Max.
That’s all for today’s Ram Report. Signing off this is Emily Wright and Max Harris, From all of us at Harriton TV, thanks for watching The Ram Report.