Ladies and gents of all sports affiliations, it’s time to pour yourselves a tall mug of Gatorade, for we have officially entered professional sports’ dead zone.

The death of Kobe Bryant has brought an outpouring of grief and reflection on his influence across the world, especially within the basketball community. Among that group are players on Chapman’s own teams, many of whom felt connected to Bryant through his philosophies on the game and life. Here are some of their stories.

Marissa Dunn plans to release her first album this year. Yet, at this exact moment in January 2020, she is simply focused on learning the proper rhythm of a shooting drill. She’s been given clear instructions: move here, cross over and come back to the right hand.

When I got the word one morning that Kobe Bryant was going to be in the Hutton Sports Center at Chapman University, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Getting the chance to meet my childhood idol and favorite basketball player – it was like a dream come true.

Last semester, The Panther asked Chapman athletes about their thoughts on student attendance of fall sporting events. While athletes mentioned they were taking efforts to raise awareness, they nonetheless recounted experiences when they felt a distinct lack of support from the stands.

It wasn’t until his death that I realized the lines of morality I had drawn were shallow. I put him on a pedestal and evaluated him as a figurative being, not a real person. I realized I needed to see out of purple and gold eyes – see him as a champion, storyteller, philanthropist and father.