The annual Kobe Bryant Day is fast approaching, and as Los Angeles prepares to honor the life of one of its greatest icons, the air is thick with a mixture of nostalgia, awe and deep respect.
Kobe Bryant, whose influence on the city extends beyond basketball, would have celebrated his 46th birthday on August 23. The following day, August 24, is officially known as “Kobe Bryant Day” or “Mamba Day.”
What is Kobe Bryant Day or Mamba Day?
After Bryant retired from basketball in 2016, former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti officially declared August 24 as Kobe Bryant Day.
The day is a nod to the two jersey numbers Bryant wore during his 20-year Hall of Fame career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant won five championships for the Purple and Gold and was recognized for his on-court prowess as well as his philanthropic work, which focused on “improving the lives of young families in need and encouraging youth to stay active through sports.”
This charity is now known as Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation and is run by Bryant’s widow, Vanessa.
In 2020, after Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, along with seven other passengers, tragically died in a helicopter crash, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to also officially declare August 24 as “Kobe Bryant Day.”
That same year, Nike launched “Mamba Week,” which includes events and programming to honor Bryant as well as the Mamba Foundation and Mambacita.
A city dressed in purple and gold
This year’s Mamba Week will be punctuated by festivities that kick off with the launch of the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation’s “LA Royal” collection, led by Vanessa Bryant. The line of merchandise, draped in signature purple and gold, is more than just clothing: it’s a piece of Kobe’s heart returned to the city he loved. From sweatshirts to shorts, each piece is a reminder of his unwavering dedication to Los Angeles, a city that now wears his memory like a badge of honor.
A statue that says a lot
Earlier this month, on August 2 (8/2), a day honoring the numbers of Kobe (8) and Gianna, who wore number 2, the Lakers unveiled a new statue honoring both the love of father and daughter just outside Crypto.com Arena.
The Nunavut Bar Association (NUBA)
This Kobe Bryant statue stands tall, casting a shadow that extends far beyond the arena, symbolizing a legacy that continues to inspire. For fans, this statue is not just a monument; it is a place of pilgrimage, where stories of the “Mamba Mentality” are shared and memories of Kobe’s greatness are relived.
Mamba League Invitational: The Spirit of Competition
The weekend will officially kick off on August 23 with the 2nd annual Mamba League Invitational, a two-day basketball tournament created by Nike. Elite high school athletes from across the country will gather to showcase their skills, each driven by the ethic that Kobe instilled in every player who aspired to be a great player.
This event is more than just a tournament; it is the living embodiment of the “Mamba Mentality”: a relentless pursuit of excellence, a celebration of hard work and a testament to Kobe’s lasting influence on the game. Last year’s event featured LeBron James’ son, Bryce James, as well as many other top high school players from across the country.
Dodger Stadium: A weekend of basketball and tribute
Dodger Stadium joins the citywide celebration with a series of games against the Tampa Bay Rays, starting Friday, August 23. The game not only brings back memories of the 2020 World Series, but also intertwines the legacy of the Lakers and Dodgers. On Friday night, a Lakers-themed drone show will light up the sky in tribute to Kobe and the 2020 NBA champions.
Saturday’s game will be all about Showtime, with the first 40,000 fans receiving a special Lakers Showtime T-shirt. The jersey, featuring legends like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, is a nod to an era that defined basketball and a reminder of Kobe’s place in that storied lineage.
On Sunday, the weekend will culminate with a game at 1:10 p.m., where fans will receive a black and gold Kobe Bryant jersey. More than just a souvenir, this jersey is a symbol of Kobe’s legacy, a legacy that continues to inspire generations. After the game, young fans will have their own moment of glory, running the bases in a stadium where Kobe’s name will forever resonate.
Other Mamba Day Celebrations
THE The Ferris wheel at Pacific Park in Santa Monica PieThe stadium will be lit up Wednesday with the numbers 8 and 24 and the Lakers’ purple and gold colors. The light show will feature patterns and transitions.
Tribute to the Black Mamba
As we commemorate Kobe’s 46th birthday and Mamba Day, it’s clear that his influence on Los Angeles and the world remains as powerful as ever. This weekend is not only a time to honor a basketball player, but a man who embodied the very spirit of the city he lived in.
From the Mamba League to Dodger Stadium, this weekend’s events are a powerful reminder that Kobe Bryant’s legacy is not confined to the past; it lives on in every corner of Los Angeles, in every aspiring athlete and in the hearts of the fans who continue to be inspired by his life.
