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MM 1.27: Maryland sports figures mourn the tragic death of Kobe Bryant

This is the Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news.

By Joseph Lotano
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The world of sports lost a true icon on Sunday. Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash along with six other passengers and one pilot, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Bryant was 41.

As the world mourns the loss of one of the greatest to ever play the sport, players, coaches and alumni of the Maryland athletics family commented on the tragic death of the former NBA champion.

“We talked to the team. We wanted them to hear from us. So I was told it was official, so we told them. And it’s a sad day, unfortunate,” Maryland men’s basketball head coach Mark Turgeon said after his team beat Indiana, 77-76, on the road. “I was an assistant with the 76ers for one year, so he was born in that town and that was really the only time I was around Kobe. One of the all-time bests.”

Fresh off his stellar, 29-point performance against the Hoosiers, Jalen Smith reminisced on his idol’s legacy and his impact across the sports world.

Aaron Wiggins chimed in on Kobe’s mentality inspiring generations of players back when he was on a Maryland athletics podcast.

Head football coach Mike Locksley said “time is our most valuable commodity” in the wake of the heartbreaking news.

Other notable Maryland athletics figures expressed their condolences to the Bryant family and the others involved in the fatal crash that occurred Sunday morning in Calabasas.

In other news

Jalen Smith led No. 17 Maryland men’s basketball to a monumental road win against Indiana in Bloomington.

Here are three takeaways from the dramatic finish to the game.

No. 20 Maryland women’s basketball avenged its previous loss to Northwestern with a home victory against the Wildcats.

The latest SB Nation FanPulse listed the Big Ten as the best conference in all of college basketball.

Maryland wrestling went 0-2 over the weekend, losing to No. 13 Purdue Friday and Indiana Sunday.

4-star recruit Taizse Johnson announced his commitment to Maryland football Sunday night.

A few hours later, JUCO linebacker Gereme Spraggins also announced he was joining the Terps.

Lila gave her weekly update on what ranked teams suffered losses this past week.

Check out the final play in the Terps’ win over the Hoosiers.

Get a glimpse into the Maryland locker room after the program’s first win at Assembly Hall since joining the Big Ten.

Jalen Smith took to Twitter to apologize for chirping back at Hoosier fans.

Check out Testudo Times podcast host and editor Matt Levine with the postgame interview after No. 20 Maryland women’s basketball took down No. 22 Northwestern Sunday.

The University of Maryland family lost a notable alum this weekend in legendary basketball coach Morgan Wootten.

Former Terp Bruno Fernando notched the first double-double of his NBA career Sunday night.

The countdown to lacrosse season starts this week.

Maryland women's lacrosse assistant coach Caitlyn Phipps received a big honor over the weekend.

Maryland baseball took to the practice field for the first time in 2020.

The Terps gymnastics team continued their stellar start to the season, placing second in Columbus.

Maryland tennis brought out the brooms against Coppin State Friday.

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