Kobe Bryant-signed eighth-grade yearbook goes up for auction

By Alex Raskin, Sports News Editor for DailyMail.com The tragic helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in southern California on January 26 marked an abrupt ending to one of most indelible public lives in modern American history. A five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star, Kobe Bryant will likely be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts later this year Magic Johnson, Jeanie Buss, Kobe Bryant, wife Vanessa Bryant and daughters Gianna Maria Onore Bryant, Natalia Diamante Bryant, Bianka Bella Bryant and Rob Pelinka pose for a picture during Kobe Bryant's jersey retirement ceremony on December 18, 2017 Kobe Bryant celebrates with his father 'Jellybean' after winning the NBA Finals trophy against the Indiana Pacers in 2000 'I remember one thing he said: If you want to be great at it, or want to be one of the greats, you've got to put the work in,' James told reporters of Bryant after surpassing him on the NBA's all-time scoring list. A mural depicting deceased NBA star Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, painted by Royyaldog, is displayed on a building on February 13, 2020 in Los Angeles But Bryant still managed to repair his image, and even became known as doting father to his four daughters. A mural depicting deceased NBA star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, painted by Artoon, is displayed on a building on February 13, 2020 in Los Angeles Even James felt compelled to honor Bryant days as he surpassed him on the all-time scoring list days before the crash. A mural depicting deceased NBA star Kobe Bryant, painted by Jonas Never, is displayed on a building on February 13, 2020 in Los Angeles 'Kobe Bryant was a giant who inspired, amazed and thrilled people everywhere with his incomparable skill on the court — and awed us with his intellect and humility as a father, husband, creative genius, and ambassador for the game he loved,' Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti wrote on Twitter.