Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Day Celebrated with Court Dedication in Chicago

Chicago is set to honor the late Kobe Bryant with a special event on August 24, known as "Kobe Bryant Day."

This date is significant as it represents both of Bryant's retired jersey numbers with the Los Angeles Lakers—No. 8 and No. 24. The day also coincides with what would have been his 46th birthday.

Bryant wore No. 8 until 2006, in tribute to his favorite player to watch growing up in Italy, his eventual head coach Mike D'Antoni.

Next, he switched to No. 24, in an effort to express his "growth," he claimed (it was also his jersey number at Lower Merion High School), although Kevin Garnett said it was worn to attest that, in his mind, he was better than Chicago Bulls Hall of Fame shooting guard Michael Jordan. It also happens to transpire a day after Bryant's birthday.

The tribute will take place at the Jackson Park basketball courts on the South Side of Chicago, where festivities kick off at 12 p.m. PT/2 p.m. CT.

The event will feature a youth basketball clinic, followed by a court dedication ceremony. A single-elimination basketball tournament will follow, along with a 3-point shootout and a dunk contest, with cash prizes for the winners, according to Maxwell Evans of Block Chicago

Bryant had a strong connection to Chicago, having once expressed a desire to play for the Bulls during his career back in 2007.

The Bulls at that time were a team on the rise and defense-first in the Eastern Conference. They were led by gritty young players like Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, and Andres Nocioni, plus an aging Ben Wallace and sharpshooter Ben Gordon. When it became clear that the Lakers very much wanted to receive Deng — then the Bulls' best player, and an eventual two-time All-Star — back in any deal, Bryant lost interest.

The event aims to celebrate his legacy and impact on the game, bringing together basketball fans in a fitting tribute.