The service – being dubbed ‘The Celebration of Life’ – is taking place where the basketball superstar played for the Los Angeles Lakers for the entirety of his 20-season long professional career.

Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died along with seven others on 16 January in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

Celebrities like Kanye West and Kim Kardashian attend the Celebration of Life memorial
Stars have attended the Staples Center to honour Kobe Bryant and the eight victims of the helicopter crash.

Rapper Kanye West is seated next to Kim Kardashian West, Khloe Kardashian, and Kris Jenner in the arena.

Prominent basketball players in attendance include Magic Johnson, Stephen Curry, and Dwayne Wade. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps is also in attendance.

Vanessa Bryant speaks about her ‘soul mate’ Kobe Bryant

Mrs Bryant first spoke about her relationship with Kobe Bryant, which started when she was 17 years old.

“I was his first girlfriend, his first love, his confidant and his protector,” she said. “He was the most amazing husband. Kobe loved me more than I could ever express or put into words.”

“Kobe was the MVP of girl dads, or MVD,” Mrs Bryant said. “He never left the toilet seat up. He always told the girls how beautiful and smart they are.”

She then expressed her gratitude that the basketball player was alive to hear their youngest daughter, eight-month-old Capri, say “dada” before he died.

“He isn’t going to be able to walk our girls down the aisle or spin me around on the dance floor,’ she said, “but I want my girls to know the amazing man, husband and father he was.”