Before and during Game 3 of the Tema Community 4 Basketball League semifinal playoff game between Nungua Coldstore and Tema Rockets, the memory of Basketball Legend Kobe Bryant was celebrated.
Exactly a week ago, Bryant and nine others including his daughter Gianna Bryant died in a helicopter crash in California. Bryant was a five time NBA Champion who played 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Prior to the game, Rockets and Coldstore took turns in front of a Kobe Bryant mural before teaming up for a group photo. A minute silence was observed in memory of the man popularly known as the “Black Mamba” prior to jump ball.
Coldstore won the jump ball and took a 24 second shot clock violation; on the ensuing possession, Rockets took an eight second violation. Both acts honoured Kobe Bryant’s jersey numbers (8) and (24) during his playing career.
The violations followed a trend started by players in the NBA in the aftermath of Bryant’s shock demise.
Coldstore beat Rockets 56-38 to clinch the series and progress to the league finals.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
