Tribute to Kobe Bryant from the Italian town where he spent part of childhood

The first Italian basketball team that Kobe Bryant's father played for retired the Lakers superstar's jersey to the rafters in a pre-game ceremony on Wednesday.

"You began to play here and as an adult you made us dream. Our colours are with you in the sky," read a huge banner in Italian held up before Rieti's game against Scafati in Italy's second division.

A gold Lakers' jersey with Bryant's No. 24 was lifted to the ceiling, as a recording of Bryant's lineup introduction from his NBA playing days was played.

Rieti was where Joe Bryant, Kobe's father, made his Italian basketball debut in 1984. Kobe was six at the time, and grew up in Italy before moving back to Pennsylvania for high school.

Kobe Bryant died last month with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, California. He was 41.