Kobe Bryant Was Noticeably Left Out of the 2020 MTV VMAs Memoriam Segment — See Fan Reactions

Fans of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant set the internet space on fire with their fury after the iconic basketball player was snubbed during the Awards ceremony's "In Memoriam" segment.

For so many people, 2020 held so much promise. However, it quickly collapsed into a spate of high-profile celebrity deaths which began with the death of iconic LA Lakers player Kobe Bryant in a tragic helicopter crash.

Since then, America has been rocked by thousands of deaths due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, violent Black Lives Matter protests, the death of actress Naya Rivera, and the sudden death of "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman.

Fans and families of these fallen stars are still reeling from their heroes' unexpected death, so tributes have continued in their remembrance.

However, during Sunday's broadcast of the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, not everyone got their deserved recognition.

In quite a bizarre fashion, the late NBA star was snubbed in the "In Memoriam" segment of the show, which paid tribute to artists lost over the last 12 months.

Viewers and fans of the famous basketball player, Bryant, were understandably angered by the decision and took to Twitter to express their anger.

In the wake of Boseman's sudden death on Friday, videos of the actor paying tribute to Kobe Bryant have resurfaced online…

One particular fan wrote: "How DARE you guys Not pay tribute to KOBE BRYANT!!!! He is an Academy Award winner and Legend!!! And you choose to leave him out of your 2020 tribute! #BoycottVMAs #VMAs"

Several other fans expressed their disappointment in Bryant's apparent snub in the VMA's "In Memoriam" segment, with many of them questioning the rationale of the organizers.

Over the past 24 hours, the issue has developed into a fierce debate between Twitter users, with some of them arguing that the Award ceremony was only paying tribute to artists and not professional athletes.

Actress Keke Palmer made history as the first African-American woman to host the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, and the entire show was dedicated to late actor Chadwick Boseman.

During the show, the VMAs gave special recognition to artists who died within the last 12 months, including rappers Juice Wrld and Pop Smoke, as well as actors Naya Rivera and Chadwick Boseman.

Even though Bryant was noticeably missing from the VMA photo tribute, rapper DaBaby came through on the night, as he honored Bryant by wearing a LA Lakers hat and colors during his performance.

On Sunday, January 26, fans of the retired NBA player were stunned by the news of his unexpected death. Bryant died along with his daughter, Gianna, 13, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

Meanwhile, in the wake of Boseman's sudden death on Friday, videos of the actor paying tribute to Bryant have resurfaced online over the weekend. It has been drawing several emotional reactions from fans.

On Friday, August 28, Boseman, who is best known for playing the lead role in MCU's "Black Panther" and Jackie Robinson in "42," died at 43, after secretly battling colon cancer for four years.

Bryant and Boseman were pictured together at the 90th Academy Awards in March 2018. In the photo, the duo could be seen sharing a warm embrace, and for many of their fans, the picture represents a timeless piece.