TORONTO -- Spike Lee paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant at Sundayâs Oscars, wearing a Los Angeles Lakerâs themed purple and gold suit withthe NBA iconâs number stitched into the lapels.
Bryantâs iconic number 24, which was also stitched into the back of the suit, could be seen as Lee walked the red carpetat the 92nd Academy Awards. He also donned Bryantâs Nike shoes.
âFor Vanessa, for the family, peace and love,â he said in a red carpet interview with Billy Porter.
Lee directed the 2009 documentary âKobe: Doinâ Work,â which profiled the Laker starâs notorious training and work ethic.
Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash last month, will be honoured with a special tribute at this yearâs Oscar ceremony.
Although he was not a member of the Academy, Bryant won the 2018 Oscar for best animated short for writing and narrating the film âDear Basketball.â The short profiled Bryantâs 2015 retirement from basketball.