A petition calling for the late Kobe Bryant to feature on the new NBA logo has been signed by more than one and a half million people.
The basketball player, 41, was killed with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other people when his helicopter crashed in California’s Calabasas hills on Sunday.
While the world mourns one the greatest basketball players in the sport’s history - though writing social media condolences and attending vigils - one fan decided to honour the former Lakers player by lobbying to get his images incorporated in the NBA's official emblem.
Identified only as Nick M, the petition creator said: “With the untimely and unexpected passing of the great Kobe Bryant please sign this petition in an attempt to immortalise him forever as the new NBA Logo.”
In just two days the change.org campaign gained backing from 1.6m signatories.
The creator said the support has been “out of this world” and he wanted to “deeply thanks everybody who contributed”.
He added: “All of this is for Kobe! I wish Kobe was still here and I never had to make this petition to begin with.
“But sadly that isn’t the case, my condolences go out to the Bryant family and everyone who was involved in this accident.
“Once again thank you all. “Mamba out”.
The current NBA logo uses the silhouette of LA Laker legend Jerry West who drafted Bryant to the team in 1996.
The image has remained unchanged since it was first designed in 1971.
Reacting to Bryant’s death, Mr West, who is an executive for Basketball team Los Angles Clippers said: “This loss of Kobe, Gianna, and everyone on board, is beyond tragic and incomprehensible.
“I will love Kobe forever and always cherish the time that I spent with him.
"I watched him grow from an energetic kid into the man he became, making a difference in so many peoples [lives].
"He has left the world a better place. Kobe's legacy will live forever."
