Local basketball community mourning the death of Kobe Bryant

The entire basketball community around the world is dealing with the shock of the tragic death of one of basketball's all-time greats.  

Kobe Bryant was just recently passed by Lebron James, as the fourth leading scorer of all-time in the NBA.  

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in the crash on a steep hillside in dense morning fog in Southern California Sunday morning. He was 41 and had retired from the Lakers in 2016.

That loss has hit home for many in the local basketball community too. 

Larry Tougas, the founder of the North Bay Spartans Basketball Club program and a longtime high school basketball coach at West Ferris was shocked by the news. 

"You measure athletes in my opinion by their competitive greatness and the only person that compared to Jordan in that respect was Kobe Bryant," said Tougas.  

See related: Canada's Basketball community mourns Kobe Bryant after helicopter crash 

Tim Lowe is a longtime high school basketball coach at Algonquin as well as being a key contributor to the creation of the North Bay Spartans Basketball Club program in the city.  

He says it is such terrible news.  

"I think it is one of those moments that gets etched in your mind, almost surreal," Lowe told BayToday.  

"Yesterday, like so many people around the world, I was stunned and shocked.

"He was such a ferocious athlete and even in retirement, he stayed relevant to the game.  What has made the most impact on me is that his wife lost a husband and a daughter yesterday.  Watching him interact, love and laugh with his family, especially his daughter was truly inspiring.

"No doubt that today is a sad day. I can't think of a better way to honour him than to make him the NBA logo." 

The tragic deaths of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and others in the helicopter crash on Sunday was shocking to the global and local basketball communities.  Kobe's legacy and influence will live on in local gymnasiums for years to come.

Mike Mitchell, current President with the North Bay Spartans Basketball Club program says Bryant has had an impact on youth sports in many ways. 

"His personal line of Nike footwear is ubiquitous on local basketball and volleyball courts, but it is competitiveness - his 'Mamba mentality'- that coaches and players will remember about his game," he said. 

"You can walk into a local gym at any time and see kids trying to copy Kobe's signature turn-around, fade away jumper calling 'Kobe!' and hoping for nothing but net."