LeBron James explains why he chose for his All-Star team to wear No. 2

February 3, 2020

There will be numerous tributes to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna at the NBA All-Star Game this month, and one of them involves the jersey numbers each team will wear. LeBron James was given the choice of whether he wanted his team to wear No. 2 or No. 24, and he had a great reason for choosing No. 2.

Gianna Bryant wore No. 2 for her youth basketball teams, and LeBron was asked on Monday why he opted for his team to wear her number and not Kobe’s. James simply said “Zhuri,” which is his daughter’s name.

LeBron said the league asked him if he wanted his team to wear 24 or 2 for the All Star game. He picked 2, the number Gianna Bryant wore. Why? “Zhuri.”

— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) February 3, 2020

LeBron has three kids — Bronny, Bryce and Zhuri. Zhuri is 5 years old and the youngest. Like many others, LeBron likely cannot fathom the pain of losing a child, and it makes sense that he chose to honor Gianna. The other All-Star team is captained by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is 25 and does not have any children.

The NBA has made a major format change to the All-Star Game that includes a tribute to Kobe, and the night will surely be another emotional one. It’s very fitting that LeBron — who gave a touching speech about Kobe, Gianna and the others who lost their lives in the helicopter crash last week — is captaining one of the squads.

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

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Tributes to Kobe:
– Vanessa Bryant posts first Instagram message since death of Kobe, Gianna
– NBA players changing jersey numbers in honor of Kobe Bryant
– Clippers leave Kobe Bryant’s retired Lakers jerseys uncovered at Staples Center
– Bill Belichick shares touching anecdote in tribute to Kobe Bryant
– UConn honors Gianna Bryant with own jersey, spot on the bench
– Jeanie Buss shares emotional tribute to Kobe, Gianna Bryant on Instagram
– Kobe Bryant could have street named after him near Staples Center
– Video: Shaq gets emotional talking about Kobe Bryant on TNT
– Shareef O’Neal shares most important advice Kobe Bryant gave him
– LeBron James had inspirational message for Lakers during meeting about Kobe
– Video: See LeBron’s tribute speech to Kobe before Lakers game
– 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
– Gilbert Arenas vows to begin coaching career like Kobe Bryant urged him to
– Video: Emotional Mike Breen sums up NBA world’s emotions about Kobe Bryant’s death
– Damian Lillard puts Kobe Bryant into context with great quote
– Chiefs, 49ers honor Kobe Bryant by lining up at 24-yard line before Super Bowl
– Trae Young’s huge game was full of Kobe Bryant-related statistical coincidences