Alisal High basketball coach reminisces on time spent with Kobe Bryant

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) The sports world and beyond is mourning the loss of five-time NBA Champion Kobe Bryant. Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash Sunday in Calabasas, CA.

Bryant’s legacy stretched through generations, and across the world. At Alisal High School in Salinas Monday, students wore Kobe Bryant shirts, jersey’s and shoes to honor the basketball superstar known as the “Black Mamba”.

The Trojans basketball coach, Jose Gil, spent eight years by Bryant’s side coaching at the former NBA MVP’s basketball camp in Santa Barbara.

“I thought, is this really happening? A local kid from East Salinas doing this with Kobe?” Gil said.

In 2015, after Gil's high school son tore his ACL, Bryant sent him a personal message.

“Josue best of luck to you man. I heard you had an injury. I’ve obviously been through that so it's a long road ahead, but it's a journey worth taking,” Bryant said.

“He didn’t have to do that...that motivated me. That motivated my son,” Gil said.

Around campus at Alisal High Monday, many students wore their Kobe gear. For some, it was in honor of their favorite player.

“He was the first person I looked up to, and I said I want to be like that player,” senior Richard Solis said.

“When I saw Kobe play, he changed the sport for me,” junior Ivan Villicana said.

Beyond the court, Bryant ran basketball camps for years. After his retirement he opened the Mamba Sports Academy to train young athletes in southern California.

In 2019, Bryant won an Oscar for his short film "Dear Basketball".

Alisal High School boys basketball's next game is Thursday. The team said that game is dedicated to Kobe Bryant.