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Kobe Bryant death: Fans gather outside Staples Center in Los Angeles to pay respects to the late NBA star

Tributes also went out to his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, one of his four daughters who died in the crash along with him
UPDATED JAN 27, 2020
Fans mourn the death of retired NBA star Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center (Getty Images)
Fans mourn the death of retired NBA star Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center (Getty Images)

Kobe Bryant's death still has the world in a severe state of shock. Bryant's ardent fans are still unable to process the news of the basketball star's death and The Guardian reported that fans gathered at the Los Angeles’ Staples Center to pay their respects after learning of his death in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning.

Huge photos of the former LA Lakers star were displayed outside the arena, the site reported. Bryant played for the Lakers for a major part of his career and fans were seen chanting, "Thank You, Kobe!"

People gather at a memorial near Staples Center after the death of Laker legend Kobe Bryant Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker)

"Who wasn't a Kobe fan?" asked a fan. "If you’re an LA sports fan, you must be here and pay your respects," added Alexander M Gomez, while talking to the site.  That fans broke down wasn't a surprise. One of the fans, Jerson Castillo told the site that Bryant was like a family member. "I kept praying it was all fake news. I’m not going to be able to accept this for a long time,” he said.

Edgar Ruiz was another fan who had the opportunity to shake Bryant's hand. "The city is bleeding right now,”  he said. "I always felt the energy when he was in the building. That was my idol. Fans were inspired by his work ethic ... It’s hard to take in because he had such a big impact in our community, he did so many great things in LA."

Tributes went out to his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, one of his four daughters who died in the crash. "I’m heartbroken for his daughter, who had such a promising future and wanted to be the best in the WNBA. For that to be cut short is very sad," said Castillo. "I’m just devastated. I feel like a piece of my soul has been ripped away from me," said another fan, Oleina Brown. 

And those who couldn't make it to the Staples Center took to Twitter to pay tributes. A fan wrote about how it was a great moment that the Grammys was happening at the Staples Center. He wrote: "The fact that the #GRAMMYs  are being held tonight at the Staple’s Center, the house that @kobebryant built, is so heartbreaking and poetic."

"Rest In Peace Kobe. I can’t believe you’re gone. You were a huge part of my childhood and I’ll forever remember watching you conquer the court," tweeted another.  Here is a quick clip of the fans gathered at the Staples. 

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