Baby Kobe

Tuesday would have been the 44th birthday of the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2020. The NBA and sports world remembered Bryant fondly on his birthday with a few different touching tributes, but one from UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital might have taken the crown as the best.

The UCLA hospital gave all babies born on Tuesday a special Kobe-themed gift package since the newborns will now share a birthday with Bryant.

The package included Kobe Bryant No. 24 shirts for the parents, a Los Angeles Lakers baby blanket, and a hat with Bryant’s No. 8 on it for the baby. The newborns were also given a special letter from the hospital and the team.

“One of your family’s most special days has landed on one of our organization’s most celebrated days,” the message said. “On this year’s Kobe Day, here’s to your next generation Lakers fan. They’ve already got a little of the Mamba Mentality in them.”

Regardless of whether the young children grow up to become Kobe Bryant or Los Angeles Lakers fans in the future, this is undoubtedly a kind gesture that will link them with an NBA legend forever.

[Los Angeles Lakers]