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NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter were among nine people killed Sunday in a helicopter crash in California.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said everyone on board the helicopter died when it crashed in Calabasas.
A statement from NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were among the victims.
“He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary,” Silver said of Bryant.
“But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability. He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna.”
Bryant, 41, played his entire 20-year professional basketball career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He retired after the 2015-16 season.
The 18-time All-Star won five NBA titles and recorded 33,643 points during his career.
Bryant retired as the NBA’s third all-time leading scorer. He was surpassed by LeBron James of the Lakers on Saturday night.
NBA games went ahead as scheduled Sunday with several teams paying tribute to the basketball legend.
Several teams started their games by taking 24-second shot-clock violations as a nod to Bryant’s No. 24 jersey.
Tributes have been pouring in on social media following the passing of Kobe and Gianna. You can see some of them below.
Laker Nation, the game of basketball & our city, will never be the same without Kobe. Cookie & I are praying for Vanessa, his beautiful daughters Natalia, Bianka & Capri, as well as his parents Joe & Pam & his sisters. We will always be here for the Bryant family. pic.twitter.com/WWxmtEAJqZ
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. His baby girl Gigi was born on the same day as my youngest daughter Me’Arah. pic.twitter.com/BHBPN5Wq8V
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
Statement from Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/oI7w6e7HLI
— Estee Portnoy (@esteep) January 26, 2020
Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
The game has lost a real champion. Our thoughts & prayers go out to the Bryant family & the families of those lost today. pic.twitter.com/LLLBMJCUUm
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) January 26, 2020
Jeannine & I are absolutely shocked to hear of the loss of one of my favorite people & one of the best basketball minds in the history of the game! Our hearts & prayers to Vanessa & his girls. @kobebryant you were my biggest fan, but I was yours #RIPMAMBA @NBA @espn @SLAMonline pic.twitter.com/Ll0BD6VWgr
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) January 26, 2020
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