'Lost Its Heartbeat': Lower Merion Mourns Kobe Bryant's Death

ARDMORE, PA — The world is mourning the loss of basketball superstar Kobe Bryant, who died alongside his daughter Gianna and seven other people in a helicopter crash Sunday morning in California.

And here in the Lower Merion and Philadelphia area, the loss hit rather hard due to Bryant's connection to the area.

Bryant was born in Philadelphia and attended Lower Merion High School.

While at Lower Merion, Bryant was obviously a standout basketball star and led the Aces to their first state championship in 1996, his senior year. He was numer 33.

Bryant was drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played for 20 years, retiring in 2016.

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"Mr. Bryant's connection to Lower Merion High School, where he played basketball prior to joining the NBA, has raised the profile of the high school and our District throughout the world. Our school community will always be grateful for his ongoing generosity to his alma mater, including his dedication of our Kobe Bryant Gymnasium and his support of our boys' and girls' basketball teams," the Lower Merion School District said in a statement.

Gregg Downer coached Bryant for all four years of his high school career and said he was shocked and devastated to hear the news of Bryant's death.

"Aces Nation has lost its heartbeat," Downer said in a statement to the district.

The district also said Bryant's English teacher Jeanne Mastriano sparked his love of writing, which contributed to his short film "Dear Basketball" and led Bryant to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Short in 2018.

"Mr. Bryant's connection to Lower Merion High School where he played basketball prior to joining NBA has raised the profile of our high school and our district throughout the world," Amy Buckman, Director of School & Community Relations, said Sunday outside the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium Sunday. "The entire Lower Merion School District community sends its deepest condolences to Mr. Bryant's family."

Buckman said it is likely the district's basketball teams will pay tribute to Bryant in the future, but there are no plans yet for an official event in his memory.

Fans paid tribute to Bryant outside the Bryant Gymnasium Sunday, placing flowers, photos, memorabilia, and more at the gym's doors. The gym was dedicated to Bryant in 2010; he donated $411,000 for its construction.

Lower Merion Township Police said the department is heart broken over the incident.

"We know many of our residents and officers have personal connections with him so it is especially hard to process," the police department said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kobe's family and all of us mourning our local hometown hero."

Local notables and dignitaries shared their thoughts on Sunday's tragic incident, with Mayor Jim Kenney saying there are no words for the loss.

"From local phenom to global superstar, Kobe’s journey was great, and his legacy will continue to inspire for generations," he said. "His daughter was poised to carry the torch, and there are no words for this tragic loss."

Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill, who performed a tribute to Bryant and the late rapper Nipsey Hussel at a somber Grammy Awards Sunday night, on Twitter simply said "this can't be real."

In his last message to West Philadelphia kids back in 2019, Bryant told them not to be afraid to dream.

"Don't hide from being vulnerable — that is your greatest source of strength and magic you have within you," he told them.

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