NBA champion Ron Harper cuts short India visit after Kobe Bryant’s demise

The National Basketball Association (NBA) confirmed that the five-time NBA champion Ron Harper cut short his India visit to return to the United States, hours after it was announced that the legendary basketballer Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, died when the helicopter in which they were traveling, crashed in Los Angeles.
“Because of some unavoidable circumstances Ron Harper is leaving for the US and his media interactions and events have been cancelled in Mumbai, Delhi, and Chandigarh. We apologise for the last-minute change,” said NBA India in a note.

Ron Harper arrived in India on January 25 as a part of the NBA’s efforts to generate interest in the sport in India. On Saturday, he interacted with students at the NBA Basketball School at St. Stanislaus High School in Bandra. The former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers player was then scheduled to visit Delhi and Chandigarh.

“For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning. He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary: five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All- Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

“But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability. He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Vanessa, and their family, the Lakers organization and the entire sports world,” Silver added.