Trae Young opens game wearing No. 8 in honor of Kobe Bryant

January 26, 2020

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young was one of many NBA players to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant on Sunday after news of the former Laker’s death, but Young did it in a fairly unique way.

The Hawks and Washington Wizards combined to take 24- and 8-second violations at the start of Sunday’s games in honor of the two numbers Bryant wore during his Lakers career. Young, meanwhile, took the court wearing Bryant’s No. 8 instead of his usual 11.

Trae Young wearing No. 8 to honor Kobe pic.twitter.com/br7Gh1XRgt

— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) January 26, 2020

Young changed back to his usual number after the violations were committed and the tribute ended, but it was a pretty clear message and a nice tribute.

Young grew up watching Bryant and was actually Gianna’s favorite player.

Other players who were personally close with the ex-Laker couldn’t even bring themselves to play Sunday. NBA players are working through their grief and paying tribute in many different ways, but Young’s certainly stands out.

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