Sporting world remembers Kobe Bryant – ‘He was a giant who inspired people everywhere’

ByEurosport

Updated 27/01/2020 at 01:22 GMT

The sporting world has reacted with shock and immense sadness to the news of Kobe Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash at the age of 41.

Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers runs up court during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on April 8, 2016

Image credit: Getty Images

Bryant's daughter Gianna was also among the nine casualties in the accident.

Speaking immediately after the tragic news was confirmed, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement:

Kobe Bryant was a giant who inspired, amazed, and thrilled people everywhere with his incomparable skill on the court — and awed us with his intellect and humility as a father, husband, creative genius, and ambassador for the game he loved. He will live forever in the heart of Los Angeles, and will be remembered through the ages as one of our greatest heroes.

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And those sentiments were echoed by many famous figures from sport, entertainment and politics:

The NBA also published a tribute to Bryant in a statement, saying:

We are stunned and devastated by the news of the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant. Words cannot express his impact on our Players, the NBA and the game of basketball. This is a monumental loss for the entire basketball community and our hearts are quite simply broken. We send love and prayers out to his wife Vanessa and the entire family.

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.