Kobe Bryant's Italian hometown dedicates plaza to NBA legend, daughter on anniversary of deaths

On the one-year anniversary of the death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, Reggio Emilia, a town in Northern Italy where Kobe lived for several years growing up, announced that it would be unveiling a plaza named the "Largo Kobe and Gianna Bryant" to honor the memory of the two.

Kobe's father Joe played for the Cantine Riunite, Reggio's professional basketball team, for several years, so Kobe spent a significant part of his youth living in Reggio Emilia. Kobe even played youth basketball in Reggio, and his childhood friend Christopher Ward said that "the Italian period was very, very important for what Kobe became."

The plaza is located in the center of town and will feature a Ginkgo Biloba tree and a plaque to commemorate Kobe and Gianna. Emanuele Maccaferri, the vice president of the Sports Foundation of Reggio Emilia, spoke about what Kobe means to the entire Reggio community.

"The city of Reggio Emilia and its citizens loved, first Joe, and then Kobe Bryant, the child who, once he returned to America, always remembered Reggio with love," Maccaferri told ESPN. "On this sad day, we want to remember that happy child who left wonderful memories in so many people of Reggio Emilia."

Kobe, Gianna, and seven others died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas on the morning of Jan. 26, 2020. The news of Kobe's death sent shockwaves through the NBA, as he remained one of the most revered figures in the NBA after his retirement.