NBA legend Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash aged 41

ByEurosport

Updated 27/01/2020 at 11:59 GMT

NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among the casualties when a private helicopter crashed in Calabasas, Los Angeles, on Sunday.

Kobe Bryant

Image credit: Getty Images

Reports say that the aircraft came into difficulty in foggy conditions on Sunday morning and crashed in a hill region near Las Virgenes Road in Los Angeles shortly before 10am.

Officials from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that there were no survivors among the nine people on board, and it was later confirmed that Bryant's oldest daughter Gianna was also among the casualties.

The pair were reportedly travelling to a youth basketball game along with another young player and their parent.

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Bryant leaves behind his wife (Vanessa) and three other daughters - Natalia, Bianca and Capri.

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore

Image credit: Getty Images

The NBA released a statement on Sunday evening, saying:

"The NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna.

For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning. He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary: five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals. 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.

"We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Vanessa, and their family, the Lakers organization and the entire sports world."

Kobe Bryant

Image credit: Getty Images

Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, wife Keri and daughter Alyssa were also among the victims, as was Christina Mauser, a girl's basketball coach, according to multiple sources.

Bryant, a six-foot 6-inch forward with astonishing ability, jumped straight to the NBA from high-school in 1996, becoming the youngster player in the history of the association.

The former LA Lakers player is considered to be one of the best NBA players of all-time, making 18 All-Star teams in a 20-year career, and winning five championships.

He won two Olympic Gold medals for the USA, is fourth on the NBA's all-time scoring list, and became a first for the sport when The Lakers retired both of his numbers (8 and 24) when he hung up his boots in 2016.

Bryant also won an Oscar for best short animated film in 2018 for a five-minute short called 'Dear Basketball'. The film was based on a love letter he had written to the sport in 2015.

Kobe Bryant

Image credit: Eurosport

Tributes to the 41-year-old and his daughter have flooded in throughout the day, including from Bryant’s friend and the former president of the United States, Barack Obama, who said:

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.