New Orleans Pelicans center Jahlil Okafor gives up his jersey No-8 to honour Kobe Bryant

As the world and the NBA continue to mourn Kobe Bryant’s untimely passing in a fatal helicopter crash, every NBA team and the current and former NBA players are doing their bits to honor the Los Angeles Lakers, superstar.

Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie was the first player to change his jersey from No 8 to No 26. Since then Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross and Los Angeles Clippers’ forward Maurice Harkless also announced that they will be changing their jersey numbers.

Following New Orleans Pelicans’ 125-11 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Pelicans’ big-man Jahlil Okafor also informed the NBA that he will be giving up his number. That said, the 24-year-old American also said that he isn’t sure what number he will be wearing for the rest of the season.

Jahlil Okafor is reportedly part of the wave of NBA players who are changing their jersey numbers to honor the late Kobe Bryant.https://t.co/z80pzpQF7J

— PelicansNOW (@PelicansNOW) January 29, 2020

Dallas Mavericks were the first NBA team to announce that they will be retiring the No-24, to honor Bryant’s legacy and impact on the sport. Lakers, themselves, retired both his Nos. 8 and 24 back in 2017, which is a clear indication of his greatness. He played all the 20 seasons wearing the famous Purple and Gold and won five NBA titles, two NBA Finals MVPs (2009 and 1010), one league MVP (2008), 15 All-NBA selections, and 12 All-Defensive selections amongst a host of other accolades.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in a statement, “We are shocked and saddened by the devastating news of the passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna.

“Kobe was an ambassador for our game, a decorated legend, and a global icon. Above all, he was a loving and dedicated father. “Kobe’s legacy transcends basketball, and our organization has decided that the number 24 will never again be worn by a Dallas Maverick.”

Almost all the teams have kicked things off with violations since Bryant’s death on Monday. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons wore custom uniforms in the pre-match introduction, with each player wearing either No. 8 or No. 24 on the back.