Mavericks to retire No. 24 in honor of Kobe Bryant

DALLAS, TX – NOVEMBER 24: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers during play against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on November 24, 2012 in Dallas, Texas. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP

The Dallas Mavericks are paying tribute to Kobe Bryant by permanently retiring his number 24.

“Kobe’s legacy transcends basketball, and our organization has decided that the number 24 will never again be worn by a Dallas Maverick,” Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban said.

Cuban’s tribute was one of several around the NBA as players, coaches and fans were stunned by the news of Bryant’s death.

In the Memphis-Phoenix game Sunday, the Grizzlies won the opening tip and immediately took a 24-second clock violation. When the Suns took possession, they stayed in the backcourt for an 8-second violation – the 24 and 8 seconds representing Bryant’s two numbers during his NBA career.