The emotion was palpable. Before the eighth finals of the Coupe de France against Bourg-en-Bresse, spectators from the Boulogne-Levallois club paid a vibrant and moving tribute to Kobe Bryant this Wednesday evening. The five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers died tragically on Sunday at the age of 41.
After the fictitious kick-off by handball player Allison Pineau, the public was invited to stand and applaud for 24 seconds. A symbolic duration which corresponds to the time of possession in basketball and, above all, to the number worn by Bryant.
A black and white photo of the American star, accentuating the emotion, was projected on the screens above the parquet floor. In the stands, "Kobe", "Kobe" accompanied the applause. Some spectators wore Lakers shirts for the occasion. The club had not waited to know if the Federation would give recommendations to decide on this tribute.
"It is neither logical nor obligatory to pay this tribute, it is simply natural, explains Jean-Pierre Aubry, vice-president of a club where played for a season John Cox ... cousin of Kobe Bryant. Everyone is in shock, it's a tragedy. This player was the history of basketball, of our sport. Next weekend, the same ceremony will be held in the Pro B and Jeep Elite theaters. The Basketball League has asked to include the 24 seconds of applause in the pre-game protocol.