On Sunday, January 26, the entire world was shocked when the news of Kobe Bryant’s passing along with eight other people, including his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, broke.

The cause of death for all nine victims is blunt force trauma and their deaths are considered to be accidental, according to CNN.

Bryant, who is considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time, was 41.

Senior Braden Bollinger was in disbelief but was also doubtful that the report was true at first.

“It had to be fake because TMZ spoofs deaths all the time,” Bollinger said.

What Bollinger is referring to is the fact that TMZ broke the first story of Kobe’s death before the authorities got the chance to notify his family.

While Bollinger was convinced it was as hoax, other students at EHS were not as hopeful as he was.

“[I dropped] and just bursted into tears,” senior Trey Boyd said. “Kobe was one of my favorite athletes. He was an inspiration.”

The crash happened sometime around 10 a.m. in what was described as a “remote field” in Calabasas, Calif. according to the Associated Press.

Kobe’s death has given many people a chance to reflect and see what an impact has made on their lives.

Senior Carson Philipps remembers Kobe for “his work ethic and dedication to his craft.”

While others like Bollinger will remember him for his never give up type of attitude, which was later given its own name: mamba mentality.

“He was always bettering himself mentally and physically.” Bollinger said. “Kobe gave advice and invented a mindset that is valuable to me in my everyday life.”