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Why The WNBA Honorary Draft Picks of Gianna, Alyssa and Payton Means So Much
It’s been almost three months since that fateful Sunday morning in late January when activities were disrupted by breaking news that confirmed the unfathomable.
Iconic basketball superstar, Kobe Bryant, who made history by gifting 20 years to the championship franchise known as the Los Angeles Lakers, where he flourished in the excellence that propelled his illustrious career, and continued tradition of a famed bran, perished in a helicopter crash.
The chaos of the tragic announcement was heightened by the confirmation that Bryant died alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and two of her friends and teammates, Alyssa Altobelli 13, and Payton Chester, 13.
Aside from the pilot and Kobe, four adults also were also onboard the doomed flight. Alyssa’s parents, John Altobelli, a renowned college baseball coach from Orange County, and his wife Keri; Christina Mauser, who was recruited by Bryant to serve as assistant coach for Team Mamba, and Sarah Chester, who accompanied her daughter Payton to the scheduled tournament.
The investigation into what caused the horrific crash in Calabasas, CA, is still pending but a preliminary report issued by the NTSB has ruled out engine failure. The agonizing wait for the results of the pending inquiry could…
