Giannis Antetokounmpo deactivates social media in wake of Kobe Bryant’s passing

January 26, 2020

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Giannis Antetokounmpo Kobe Bryant

The entire basketball community continues to reel from the death of Kobe Bryant.

Milwaukee Bucks star and reigning MVP winner Giannis Antetokounmpo deactivated his social media accounts in the wake of Sunday’s horrific news. Links to his verified Twitter and Instagram accounts returned error messages as of Sunday evening.

The 25-year-old Antetokounmpo had a very close relationship with Bryant, working out with the late Los Angeles Lakers star during summers past. Bryant also famously issued ambitious challenges to Antetokounmpo on social media, at least one of which he ultimately fulfilled.

It’s not hard to figure that Antetokounmpo may have gone dark on social media in order to dedicate his entire focus to the sport of basketball — something that Kobe, a champion of the Mamba Mentality, would have appreciated.

The four-time All-Star Antetokounmpo also unexpectedly lost his father Charles in 2017, making Bryant’s passing another devastating blow for him.

More Larry Brown Sports coverage of Kobe Bryant’s death:

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Other victims of the helicopter crash:
– John Altobelli, junior college baseball coach, also died in helicopter crash
– Christina Mauser, girls’ basketball coach, among the helicopter crash victims

Tributes to Kobe:
– Dallas Mavericks retire Kobe Bryant’s No. 24 jersey
– Video: Raptors, Spurs start game with amazing tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Shaq posts heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Michael Jordan releases statement on death of ‘little brother’ Kobe Bryant
– Video: Doc Rivers breaks down crying talking about Kobe Bryant
– Phil Jackson calls Kobe Bryant ‘a chosen one’ in statement on his death
– NBA commissioner Adam Silver issues statement on death of Kobe Bryant
– Video: Dwyane Wade posts emotional message reacting to Kobe Bryant’s death
– Kendrick Perkins extends olive branch to Kevin Durant after Kobe Bryant’s death
– Video: Emotional Mike Breen sums up NBA world’s emotions about Kobe Bryant’s death
– Trae Young’s huge game was full of Kobe Bryant-related statistical coincidences

More coverage:
– Media errors, rumors, poor judgment run rampant in reporting of Kobe Bryant news
– Kobe Bryant checked in on Shaq’s son Shareef morning of helicopter crash
– No, Rick Fox did not die in helicopter crash that killed Kobe, Gianna Bryant
– Lakers fans start memorial to Kobe Bryant outside Staples Center
– Kobe Bryant’s last tweet was congratulating LeBron James on passing him
– Sports world stunned over Kobe Bryant news
– Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash – dead at 41