Basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, is set to be honoured with a posthumous Emmy award for his work in ‘philanthropy, community building and inspiration.’
41 year old Kobe, alongside his daughter Gianna and 7 others were killed during a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California in January . The basketball star will be awarded the 72nd Los Angeles Area Emmy Governors Award which will take place in July.
Kobe won five championships over his 20-year career and started helping others once he retired, becoming an ambassador for women’s basketball, a mentor and advocate for local youth.
He also helped raise awareness of the issue of homelessness in LA.
Kobe Bryant was nominated by Spectrum SportsNet for his legacy of community building and inspiration which went far beyond his basketball talent and the award is given to an individual or company that has made an ‘outstanding, innovative and visionary achievement’ in the arts as well as contributing to the greater Los Angeles area.
Kobe was “a legendary fixture on Southern California television screens for over 20 years,” the Television Academy wrote on Thursday, and also an author, producer, passionate advocate for causes including homelessness. The award ceremony and Kobe’s presentation will be streamed live on Emmys.com on July 18.