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REGGIO EMILIA, ITALY - JANUARY 26: Fans in Italy commemorated NBA legend and former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant on his third death anniversary on Tuesday, Jan. 26. The walls on the streets of Reggio Emilia city are covered in paintings of Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Maria. Thursday, Jan. 26, marks the third anniversary of the tragic helicopter crash which took the life of Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. At the time of the accident, the NBA legend was 41 years old. The sudden death of the multi-time NBA and Olympic champion shocked the basketball community and the game's fans. Ex-USA and Lakers shooting guard Bryant died on Jan. 26, 2020, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, when a helicopter crashed on its way to a basketball game at the Mamba Sports Academy, which he founded. Thanks to his leadership role, confidence, and forceful performance on the courts, Bryant is considered one of the basketball greats and is often compared by many to Michael Jordan, another hoops legend. Born on Aug. 23, 1978, in the eastern city of Philadelphia, Bryant first attracted attention with his performance at Lower Merion High School in the City of Brotherly Love. Raised partially in Italy as his relatives moved to Europe, Bryant learned to speak Italian fluently and played basketball there. When Bryant was 13, after his father retired from basketball, he and his family returned to the US. (Footage by /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)