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Kobe Bryant and four others, including his daughter, killed in helicopter crash

Published 01/26/2020, 05:34 PM
Updated 01/26/2020, 05:34 PM
Kobe Bryant and four others, including his daughter, killed in helicopter crash

Kobe Bryant and four others, including his daughter, killed in helicopter crash

By Daniel Trotta

(Reuters) - Kobe Bryant, who won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and was considered one of basketball's all-time greats, was killed on Sunday in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles along with all four others on board, officials said. He was 41.

Among the dead was Bryant's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, U.S. media reported.

The chopper went down in a remote field around 10 a.m. (1.00 p.m. ET) about 40 miles (65 km) northwest of central Los Angeles, the city of Calabasas said on Twitter.

There were no survivors.

Several major U.S. media outlets reported that his daughter Gianna was on board. A teammate from Bryant's daughter's basketball team, a parent of the teammate, and the pilot were also killed, NBC News reported.

"This is a moment that leaves us struggling to find words that express the magnitude of shock and sorrow we are all feeling right now, and I am keeping Kobe's entire family in my prayers at this time of unimaginable grief," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement.

Bryant's death sent shockwaves through the NBA.

In San Antonio, the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs paid their respects by allowing the 24-second clock to expire on each of their first possessions. Bryant wore No. 24 for much of his career.

"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," tweeted Bryant's former Lakers teammate Shaquille O'Neal. "My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW."

"Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete," Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the all-time NBA scoring leader, said on Twitter.

Stunned fans gathered outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles around a wreath with a message: "Kobe we love you RIP." Some in the crowd dabbed tears as others laid flowers and basketball sneakers at the wreath.

First responders put out the flames at the crash site, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department said, posting a picture of a fire truck and smoke emerging from the brush in a ravine.

Bryant had been known to use a helicopter for travel since his days as a player for the Lakers, when he commuted to games in a Sikorsky S-76 chopper, the celebrity news website TMZ said.

The Federal Aviation Administration identified the crashed helicopter as a Sikorsky S-76, saying in a statement that the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board would investigate.

18-TIME ALL-STAR

Bryant played all 20 of his National Basketball Association seasons with the Lakers, winning five championships and being named an all-star 18 times.

He was the third-leading scorer in league history with 33,643 points, until LeBron James passed him on Saturday. In his final tweet, Bryant saluted James' achievement, writing: "Continuing to move the game forward

@KingJames. Much respect my brother."

Nicknamed "The Black Mamba," he became eligible to enter the Hall of Fame this year and is certain to be selected when the 2020 class is enshrined.

Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, had four daughters: Gianna, Natalia, Bianca and Capri, who was born in June 2019.

Bryant's star power translated into the entertainment world as he mingled with show-business stars in Los Angeles.

In 2018, he won an Oscar for his animated short film "Dear Basketball."

But he was also accused of sexual assault in 2003 by an employee at a Colorado hotel, tarnishing his reputation and leading to a media storm to cover his trial.

Bryant denied the allegations and charges eventually were dropped after the woman refused to testify.

Bryant and his wife filed for divorce in 2011 after 10 years of marriage, but the couple said in 2013 they had reconciled.

Bryant's father, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, also played in the NBA, and Kobe demonstrated from an early age he would surpass his father's accomplishments.

The Philadelphia native went straight from high school to the NBA, skipping the college ranks. Since he was still only 17 years old, his parents needed to co-sign his first contract with the Lakers and he played his first game with the team shortly after turning 18 in 1996.

He also won two Olympic gold medals, part of the U.S. team in 2008 and 2012.

He retired after the 2015-2016 NBA season because of mounting injuries. In recent years, he had focused his attention on philanthropy and business ventures.

Latest comments

His Rookie and first AllStar cards must be on Ebay climbing through the roof ?! $$$$
I hope in the next couple days that the FAA will come up with an answer to the reason why the trapper went down for that chopper should’ve been maintained to make sure that everything was fine
I have to give Kobe Bryant a Genius manThe credit for accomplishing I suppose you could say a dream that became a reality bypassing the college Unlike the other I’m sure no doubt they had to go to College to get to where they are today A man that had built a reputation in the basketball NBA I congratulate your Kobe on a job well done we will all miss you you’re never far from our memory but I am also sorry for the loss of your daughter and to the family as well sorry for the loss we will always remember him as one of the greatest stars have her to achieve the highest goal or attemted how love and prayer goes out to the family may God bless your hearts
We keep hearing that he died but what the *******went wrong with the Copter ????????!
He worked the hardest to archive excellence but in the end it didn't matter. Live seems to be just luck!!!He's our true Hero but even he got taken now we don't believe in nothing no more because life is just luck!!!
There are thousands of others dying that are the same in God's eyes that have died today that nobody seems to care about.
Have respect man. I doubt you are lighting candles everyday. Yet you feel the need to pipe up all of a sudden.
Each person that died today deserves good thoughts and respect . U bb blast should shut up , because we do care . About them that is ! I agree , be respectful
Except Kobe was the most giving person. You should see how much time he spent giving back and being just a genuinely good guy. The world actually lost a huge role model for people of all ages with his work ethic, generosity, and goodness
RIP
RIP Kobe
One of the greatest in the game. It's unfortunate that we all must slip the surly bonds of Earth at some point, to touch the face of God.
A great man and great daughter leaving. Three Kids following the path. Condolences.
Nine dead. Catch up
it's always the good ones that goes first..Kobe was the best !
RIP, my hero
Sad. RIP.
For me, he was the greatest ever. I loved watching him play. Such an amazing and beautiful athlete and person. Very sad today.
take this off you dweep.
Rest in Peace Kobe. You were a brilliant athlete and person and will be missed.
His daughter was realy unlucky that she was also on board. To be child of a rich parents doesnt bring always luck, but brings also sometimes unluck
Beyond shocked. RIP Black Mamba.
I credit the media for the bravery to add his nickname, indeed it was fitting for the times in which he played.
Bryant wasn't defferent from those lost their lives, but a difference for skills
his daugther gianna was onboard
I'm sad for his demise.RIP Kobe,we shall miss you.
A lost to d NBAn a greater lost to humanityRIP
yes indeed that a lost to humanity
tommorows headline - shares dip mourning Kobe's death. Corona fears grips
RIP
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