Kobe Bryant’s influence expanded far beyond the hardwood.
Sports figures and fans across the globe mourned Bryant’s death Sunday after a helicopter crash claimed his life, the life of his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others who knew the Bryant family.
Justin Thomas, one of many golfers to mourn Bryant’s death on social media, found a way to honor Bryant, 41, at this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open.
In a photo posted by the PGA Tour, Thomas displays Titleist wedges he will use at TPC Scottsdale which are engraved with phrases to honor the NBA legend. His four wedges have been stamped with the words, “Mamba mentality,” “Black Mamba,” “Kobe Bean Bryant” and “81 points” in reference to the former Los Angeles Lakers’ famous game in 2006 against the Toronto Raptors in which he scored 81 points — the second-highest total in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962.
Thomas, who has favorable odds to win this week’s Phoenix Open, posted about Kobe’s influence on Twitter after news of Bryant’s death was confirmed Sunday.
“I have no words other than RIP to somebody I loved and wanted to be like when it was game time,” Thomas wrote.
Bryant’s 81-point game is only one of the remarkable accomplishments of his 20-year career with the Lakers. Bryant, who retired in 2016, ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time leading scorers list with 33,643 points, a feat passed by LeBron James Saturday evening. He was also named NBA MVP after the 2007-08 season, won five NBA Championships and claimed back-to-back NBA Finals MVP Awards in 2009 and 2010.
Bryant is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and three daughters.
Thomas tees off his first round at the Waste Management Phoenix Open Thursday at 10 a.m. ET from the 10th tee alongside Jon Rahm and Hideki Matsuyama.
