KEY POINTS

  • Kobe Bryant was an influential figure in women's basketball
  • Kobe Bryant coached his daughter Gigi's basketball team 
  • Among those who passed away in the crash are coaches from the Orange County schools

The tragic news of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi Bryant passing away shocked the world. The 41-year-old NBA legend has won five championships for the LA Lakers. He is considered as one of the best to ever lace up for the Purple and Gold with his prolific highlights, unmatchable work ethic and immeasurable love for the sport.

After retiring, the Black Mamba decided to lay low in terms of the NBA until his 13-year-old daughter Gigi convinced him otherwise. He has coached his daughter’s basketball team and served as their mentor. Kobe Bryant has been a big influence on the WNBA and has openly supported it. He recently shared that there are even WNBA players today who have what it takes to play in the NBA.

But the devastating news of him passing away in a helicopter crash also included the loss of other influential people in the community. Christina Mauser was one of them. As reported by CNN, she was an assistant girls basketball coach at a private elementary school in Orange County.

She was also the wife of Tiajuana Dogs vocalist Matt Mauser. Mauser wrote of the news on Facebook.

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Among those who passed away were John Altobelli, his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa. Alyssa was a teammate of Gigi in the Mamba Academy.

John Altobelli was the head coach of the Orange Coast County Baseball Team. He has been with the team for the longest time, serving 27-years as a mentor to the school and the community. In a statement released by the Orange Coast College, he meant a lot to the school.

“John meant so much to not only Orange Coast College, but to baseball,” Coast Athletic Director Jason Kehler said. “He truly personified what it means to be a baseball coach. The passion that he put into the game, but more importantly his athletes, was second to none - he treated them like family. Our deepest condolences go out to the Altobelli family during this time of tragedy.”

Families and the community continue to mourn the victims of the tragedy as the news develops.

People gather near the scene of a helicopter crash in Calabasas on Sunday, January 26, 2020 that killed 9 people including Los Angeles Laker star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna
People gather near the scene of a helicopter crash in Calabasas on Sunday, January 26, 2020 that killed 9 people including Los Angeles Laker star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna AFP / Mark RALSTON
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