After Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard and Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant retired in 2016, then-Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti created “Kobe Bryant Day” in honor of the 18-time All-Star.
The basketball world will go all out to honor the league's 2008 MVP on Saturday during the eighth annual Mamba Day.
Why is August 24 Kobe Bryant Day? Simply put, the holiday celebrates the two now-retired Lakers jerseys that the 6-foot-6 swingman wore during his illustrious 20-year career: No. 8 (1996-2006) and No. 24 (2006-2016).
Read more: Lakers owner Jeanie Buss reminisces about her memories with Kobe Bryant
According to NBCS Los Angeles' Michael Duarte, there will be huge celebrations this weekend in Los Angeles and suburban Orange County, Bryant's longtime hometown.
A new apparel collection called “LA Royal” by Bryant's widow Vanessa's company, the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, was released this weekend.
Kobe Bryant (number 24) of the Los Angeles Lakers carries the ball onto the court during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on January 27, 2008. Kobe Bryant Day kicked off with a variety of celebrations. Details Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images
Decorated in the Lakers' traditional colors of purple and gold, the new merchandise includes LA-themed sweatshirts, shorts and all kinds of other clothing.
For the second consecutive year, a two-day Nike Basketball tournament featuring the nation's top high school prospects will be held on Bryant's birthday, Kobe Bryant Day, Aug. 23-Aug. 24. The event is named the Mamba League Invitational. Last year's inaugural tournament featured Sierra Canyon School shooting guard Bryce James, a three-star prospect and son of current Lakers all-star combo forward LeBron James.
Dodger Stadium will be handing out Lakers-themed T-shirts over two days this weekend to spice things up. On Saturday, the historic MLB venue will be handing out new Dodgers crossover shirts celebrating the Magic Johnson/Kareem Abdul-Jabbar era of the Showtime Lakers.
Limited edition Bryant-themed jerseys will be given away on Sunday.
Meanwhile, on the city's west side, the Pacific Park Ferris Wheel at the Santa Monica Pier was lit up with Bryant's jersey number and the Lakers' signature lights.
Bryant's birthday on August 23rd was celebrated with much excitement as Nike released a new sneaker, the Kobe 9 Elite Hi Potro “Halo,” in some regions.
An eight-hour tournament and skills competition will kick off in Bryant's honor on the courts at Chicago's Jackson Park, according to Maxwell Evans of The Block Chicago.
In 1,346 regular season games (1,198 starts), the Lower Merion High School product averaged 25.0 points per game, a .447/.329/.837 batting average, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks. In addition to being an 18-time All-Star, Bryant was also a 15-time All-NBA selection, 12-time All-Defensive Team selection, 2008 MVP, five-time champion, two-time Finals MVP and four-time All-Star Game MVP.
