NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Saturday that the All-Star Game MVP award will now be named the Kobe Bryant MVP Award.
“Nobody embodied All-Star more than Kobe,” Silver said.
Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash three weeks ago.
In his career, Bryant was an 18-time All-Star and won the game’s MVP four times, tied for most all time. He also ranks second in total points scored in All-Star games.
Team LeBron and Team Giannis will represent Bryant and his daughter during the game. All members of Team LeBron will wear the number two on their jerseys for Gianna, and Team Giannis will wear 24 for Kobe.