This Sunday marks five years since the heartbreaking helicopter crash that took the lives of Kobe Bryant and eight others, including his daughter.

The Los Angeles Lakers and the entire basketball community continue to celebrate Bryant’s enduring influence — both on the sport and the city of Los Angeles.

“I admired him as a person, and he was a phenomenal basketball player,” said Lakers rookie Bronny James. “This day will hold a special meaning for everyone connected to the Lakers and across the globe.”

The numerous murals throughout the city, the jerseys No. 8 and 24 displayed in the rafters, and the two statues in front of Crypto.com Arena all serve as powerful reminders of his legacy.

Inspiring Words from Kobe Bryant

Throughout his basketball career, Bryant exemplified an incredible work ethic and dedication. He often began his training sessions at dawn, completing workouts long before his teammates and rivals were even awake.

“I was certain that nothing would stop me,” Bryant remarked in his documentary “Kobe Bryant’s Muse.” “Starting from 18 years old, this was my life. You can’t possibly surpass me because I spend more time on this than you do. Even if you wanted to dedicate that time, life pulls you away with other responsibilities. So, I had already achieved victory.”

During his 20-year tenure with the Lakers, Bryant faced numerous triumphs and challenges in front of the public. He and the Lakers had winning records in 15 seasons, but his last season saw a tough finish at 17-65 (.207). The Hall of Famer secured five NBA championships and was selected for the NBA’s 75th-anniversary roster.

“Doubt is a peculiar feeling. You may have moments of success and moments of failure; therefore, wasting energy on wondering if you’ll succeed is pointless,” Bryant expressed at a Milken Institute event. “You just need to keep moving forward, control what you can, and observe the result. If you win, that’s great, but you’ll still need to repeat the process the next day. If you lose, it’s disappointing, but you’ll need to do it all over again too.”

Earlier this month, Bryant’s influence was palpable at the launch of Unrivaled, a new women’s 3-on-3 basketball league. Aaliyah Edwards from the Mist honored Bryant by wearing braided hair in Lakers colors. Her teammate, Jewell Loyd, is known as the Gold Mamba, a nickname bestowed by Bryant.

Bryant’s legacy continues to resonate with the current generation of NBA players, with Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum naming him as his all-time favorite.

After retirement, Bryant sought various ways to nurture the next wave of athletes, including playing a key role at the Mamba Academy.

Many athletes have spoken about the “Mamba mentality” in interviews, which refers to the approach and mindset that Bryant popularized.

“The Mamba mentality is all about concentrating on the process and trusting the hard work when it truly counts,” Bryant explained in an interview with Amazon Book Review. “It encapsulates what it means to have a competitive spirit. It began as a simple hashtag that popped into my head, and it has evolved into a philosophy embraced by athletes and non-athletes alike. Hard work surpasses talent — always.

“The Mamba mentality means waking up at 4 a.m. to train, going the extra mile, and relying on your preparation when it’s time to perform. Without diligent study, planning, and practice, you leave your success to chance. I don’t believe in chance.”

Perhaps his most famous saying is also one of the simplest: “Job’s not finished.”

Kobe Bryant’s Most Memorable Highlights

Bryant had an abundance of highlight-reel moments, a testament to his exceptional talent and the numerous important games he participated in.

One of the most remarkable performances in his career was his staggering 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006, where the Lakers won 122-104.

“It was a privilege to witness such a remarkable scoring display,” Jalen Rose mentioned on ESPN’s “Get Up” during the 15th anniversary of that game. “It stands as the second-highest scoring game in NBA history. It feels special because I was once able to discuss it directly with him.”

In that game, Bryant made 28 out of 46 shots, including 7 out of 13 from beyond the arc, and sank 18 of his 20 free throws.

This game ranks as the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100-point game in 1962.

Bryant also scored 65 points against the Portland Trail Blazers in 2007 and put up 62 points against the Dallas Mavericks in just three quarters in 2005. However, his 61 points against the New York Knicks in 2009 was particularly noteworthy, as it set the record for the most points scored in a single game at Madison Square Garden — a record that would later be eclipsed by Knicks star Carmelo Anthony by just one point.

Enduring injuries was part of Bryant’s career; during a game against the Golden State Warriors in 2013, he infamously tore his Achilles while driving to the hoop. Remarkably, he managed to walk to the free-throw line afterward to make two free throws before exiting the game.

“I’ve never seen anyone tear their Achilles and still walk off the court,” remarked Lakers legend Byron Scott on his “Fast Break” podcast. “Most players I’ve seen are carried off.”

Scott was Bryant’s coach in 2015 when the former MVP tore his right shoulder rotator cuff while playing against the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite the injury, Bryant informed Scott that he intended to finish the game. He remained on the court for several more minutes before Scott decided to substitute him as he attempted to shoot with his left hand.

Bryant took the court wearing a Lakers jersey for the final time next year, scoring an impressive 60 points in his farewell game. He concluded his career with a total of 33,643 points, ranking fourth in all-time scoring, following LeBron James (41,396), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), and Karl Malone (36,928).