IF YOU know basketball, you know Kobe Bryant. For me, I knew of Kobe Bryant before I even knew the rules of basketball, such is one athlete’s ability to transcend their sport that they can wind up on the lips of a 10-year-old English boy living in rural Scotland without a second thought.

It was fancy dress day in my final year of primary school and I’m pretty sure I hadn’t told my mum that I needed a costume — that was the norm for me, I was recklessly forgetful, to some degree I still am. 

So, I threw on a generic basketball top over my shirt and called myself Kobe Bryant. I had no idea who he was, except he was a basketball player. I didn’t even know how I knew his name — I just did.

Fast forward to now, 15 years on and every time I throw a piece of rubbish, clothing or any discarded item into the rubbish I yell: “KOBE!” before it clanks off the rim and bobbles onto the floor. I don’t have the shooting touch of an NBA star.

And on Sunday night, for the first time, I cried over someone I had never met before. 

I’m not sure many people know how to comprehend the untimely death of Kobe, his daughter Gianna Bryant, and everyone else on board of that helicopter. Too many lives gone too soon. 

My heart goes out to all the families affected, as well as the Los Angeles community, and the world of basketball. 

A world of basketball that Bryant helped forge, maintain and climb the mountain of. 

Bryant had the rare ability to trigger a range of emotions all at once, something very few athletes can attest to; fear, respect, love and hate. If you followed basketball at any point over the last 20 or so years, Kobe Bryant had you feeling this way, one way or another.

Lakers fans loved him, opposing fans feared and loathed him at times. Everyone always respected him on the court.

Meticulous in his craft, you could hand out the old adage that no-one worked harder on perfecting their game without a hint of exaggeration. 

If he’s to be remembered in any way related to basketball, it’ll be for his work ethic and devotion to winning. He cared more about winning than just about anyone, and that’s really what made him stand out above the pack. That, and the fact he was an incredible talent.

A five-time NBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP, a one-time NBA MVP in 2007, an 18-time NBA All-Star, an 11-time All-NBA First Team selectee, a two-time scoring champion and the greatest Los Angeles Laker of all-time, Bryant’s legacy extends beyond the reach of a normal star, he’s the only player in history too have two numbers retired by a team: 8 & 24. Both synonymous with a legend. Reading his story is like the chronicles of a superhero. 

Straight out of high school at 17 and the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, Bryant was traded to the Lakers by the Charlotte Hornets on draft night and from there on; greatness wasn’t too far away. 

His legacy off the court is something that shouldn’t be glossed over, though. In 2004, Bryant was accused of raping a woman in Colorado, and his career was in jeopardy. Just over a year later, he settled out of court with the alleged victim, citing that the two parties didn’t see the event in the same light. No-one should forget what he put that young woman through.

Death is a confusing and complex subject. It’s OK to be sad about the passing of someone that isn’t perfect. It’s also difficult to remove life from art, though separating the two is a normal human instinct. Be it for comfort, or whatever reason. 

Basically, we should allow people to grieve in any way they want. 

His dedication to being a parent, husband and his work with women’s basketball was a great sight in his post-playing years, routinely seen deep in conversation with his daughter Gianna — a blossoming basketball player in her own right. 

He even won an Oscar for the Best Animated Short Film, with “Dear Basketball” based on the poem he wrote after retiring in 2015.

He was the hero of many and someone that basketball players will continue to model their game after for years to come. He was never really my hero, but to say that his reputation within the NBA and the world of sport didn’t have an impact on me would be a straight-up lie. 

Kobe Bryant is a part of the basketball culture that, if I’m being perfectly candid, probably saved my life.

I’ve had a wavy and chequered past with my mental health, and a few years ago, I had little to no direction while feeling as low as I have ever felt. I had no idea where my life was headed, or if my life was even heading anywhere.

Writing about basketball gave me a purpose. It allowed me to share my emotions without ever feeling vulnerable. I’ve sought basketball as comfort, as work, as a pastime and as the greatest introductory moment of my life. I wouldn’t be where I am now without basketball — and basketball wouldn’t be where it is now without Kobe Bryant. 

I missed Kobe in his peak, unfortunately, but I’ve been able to go back and watch just about every big moment he’s ever had in the league. 

Damn, there were a lot of moments. What I would have given to be in any one of those arenas, to witness one of the all-time greats alongside the likes of Shaquille O’Neal or Pau Gasol, lifting the Lakers to one of their five titles under his leadership.

Even though I wasn’t there in the moment, I still got to witness those moments and capture the emotion. Like I said before, Kobe was able to elicit emotion out of anyone, whether it was their first time watching basketball or their thousandth. 

The footwork was artistry, and his game exuded a graceful elegance. He could make it look so easy while having the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Despite never meeting Kobe Bryant, it’s pretty hard to wake up and comprehend a world where he isn’t around — even if his legacy lives on until the end of time. He felt indistinguishable like he maybe would live until the end of time.

He was the heart and soul of a basketball generation. The hero; the villain; the Mamba. 

He wasn’t the perfect person or even the perfect player, but he is the sole reason why so many people fell in love with basketball. 

RIP Kobe Bryant.