Kobe Bryant dies at 41 along with 13-year-old daughter following helicopter crash in Calabasas
The 18-time all NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant died on Sunday in a helicopter crash. He was 41 years old. Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, has also reportedly died in the crash.
Officials have confirmed that the Lakers superstar was a passenger on board a helicopter that crashed early in the morning on Sunday in LA, according to Variety.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the crash which also killed the other passengers, including his daughter Gianna, according to TMZ, which broke the news first.
Bryant was traveling with nine people when his private helicopter went down. It was also reported that a fire broke out and emergency personnel responded to the same.
“There were no survivors. We have a manifest to indicate there were nine people on board of the aircraft. The pilot plus eight individuals," Los Angeles Country sheriff’s department said.
It was confirmed that Bryant's wife Vanessa wasn't on board.
As news of his death broke out, fans shared condolence messages on social media. Author Sophia A Nelson wrote, "Much will be said about #KobeBryant and his untimely tragic death. But this image says it all for me: Family. His wife. His daughters. Not the fame. Not the money. His family. The greatest gift any of us can ever have. #RIPMAMBA."
Actor Reese Witherspoon wrote, "Just devastated to hear about #KobeBryant . An extraordinary athlete, and a genuinely kind, wonderful man. Sending love, prayers & compassion to his family. To his entire @NBA family as well."
Bryant widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all-time was a first-round pick in the 1996 draft.
Bryant is survived by his wife Vanessa, and three daughters Natalia, Bianca and their newborn Capri. Bryant and Vanessa got married in 2001. He won 5 NBA championships, 2 NBA Finals MVPs and he was the league MVP in 2008.
The Lakers retired both of Bryant's jerseys — number 8 and 25 — and he is the only player in the team's history to have received this honor. Bryant also won an Oscar for his short film titled 'Dear Basketball' in 2018.
Bryant retired in 2016 as the third-leading scorer in NBA history, finishing two decades with the Lakers as a prolific scorer with a sublime all-around game and a relentless competitive ethic. He held that spot in the league scoring ranks until Saturday night, when the Lakers’ LeBron James passed him for third place during a game in Philadelphia, Bryant’s hometown.
“Continuing to move the game forward (at)KingJames,” Bryant wrote in his last tweet. “Much respect my brother.”
Bryant had one of the greatest careers in recent NBA history and became one of the game’s most popular players as the face of the 16-time NBA champion Lakers franchise. He was the league MVP in 2008 and a two-time NBA scoring champion, and he earned 12 selections to the NBA’s All-Defensive teams.
He teamed with Shaquille O’Neal in a combustible partnership to lead the Lakers to NBA titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002. He later teamed with Pau Gasol to win two more titles in 2009 and 2010.
—With AP inputs