The NBA world was rocked on Sunday when Kobe Bryant and his daughter died in a tragic helicopter crash along with seven others. Wayne Slappy, a close friend of Kobe’s father and former coach, opened up about the family’s struggles in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com.
Slappy recounted the moment he received the devastating news, revealing that he sat in his car in tears for an hour upon learning about the tragedy. The 67-year-old basketball coach emphasized the profound impact that Kobe’s passing has had on his tightly-knit family, describing it as a deep emptiness that cannot easily be filled.
He also spoke of Kobe’s dedication to his family and his efforts to instill the same love and closeness that he experienced in his upbringing. Discussing Kobe’s multifaceted intelligence and his broader perspective on the importance of basketball, Slappy highlighted the depth of the NBA legend’s character.
The crash not only claimed the lives of Kobe and his daughter Gianna but also those of Alyssa Altobelli and her parents, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester and her daughter, as well as the pilot, Ara Zobayan.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the basketball community, leaving behind a profound sense of loss and grief.