Public memorial for Bryant set for Feb. 24 at Staples

A public memorial service for Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others killed in a helicopter crash is planned for Feb. 24 at Staples Center, The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.

The arena is where Bryant starred for the Lakers for two decades and the date 2/24 corresponds with the No. 24 jersey he wore and the No. 2 worn by his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has said a memorial would be held but his office had no other immediate comment.

Bryant was killed Jan. 26 when the helicopter carrying him, his daughter and the others crashed into a mountainside in Calabasas while flying to a girls basketball tournament at his Mamba Sports Academy. Gianna’s team was coached by Bryant and was playing in the tournament.

No cause for the crash has been determined, though a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board is expected soon.

A game between the Clippers and the Grizzlies is scheduled for Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Staples.

Knicks to hire agent as team boss:

Leon Rose, an NBA agent at Creative Artists Agency, will take over as Knicks team president, The New York Times reported. While Rose doesn’t have experience in basketball operations, he has a deep well of connections to star players, including Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James, in his decades as an agent.

The Knicks moved swiftly to replace Steve Mills, who the team announced was leaving his post Tuesday.

Rose, a native of Cherry Hill, New Jersey who played basketball at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and graduated from Temple law school in 1986, represented the likes of Allen Iverson, Richard Hamilton and LeBron James.

The Knicks last won the NBA championship in 1973.

All-Star captains make picks:

LeBron James selected Lakers teammate Anthony Davis with the first pick in the All-Star player draft for the annual game Feb. 16 in Chicago.

Opposing captain Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks took 76ers big man Joel Embiid with the second pick.

RINGO H.W. CHIU/AP Fans pay their respects to the late Kobe Bryant near Staples Center on Jan. 31.