Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Kiefer Ravena is honoring his longtime hero the best way he can.
Ravena on Wednesday said he is switching his number to 24 as a tribute to the late great Kobe Bryant, who, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash in California.
“Be Epic. My Hero. The ultimate competitor. You had that a**hole gene in your DNA that made you a great leader. You pulled everybody up with you that’s why the whole world respected you,” the NLEX Road Warriors guard in the PBA wrote on his Instagram account.
“I’ll be wearing number 24 this year, Mamba. A salute to a legacy I will forever treasure. #Mamba #Mambacita,” added Ravena, posting a picture of his Kobe sneakers signed by Bryant himself with the words “Be Epic” written on the left shoe.
Tributes continue to pour in for Bryant with celebrities, renowned athletes in various sports and fans from across the globe all coming out and showing love for the beloved basketball legend, who played 20 seasons in the NBA all with the Lakers and won five championships.