Kobe Bryant and his daughter were among five people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday, a source confirmed to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Bryant was 41.
Drafted 13th overall in 1996 out of Lower Merion High School, Bryant was a five-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA Finals MVP and the 2008 MVP. The 18-time All Star retired in 2016 after 20 seasons in the league, all with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The NBA world past and present — many of whom shared the court with the 2020 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame nominee — expressed their condolences on social media.
…This S*** can’t be real… this the first moment I was able to meet Gianna Maria, she’s been to only 3 games this year… 2 of them were mine… She told me I was her favorite player to watch🙏🏽 I can’t believe this😢😭
Rest Easy Gigi❤️ pic.twitter.com/IfDrE9Gjlv
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 26, 2020
Man I don’t even know where to start😭😭 I started playing ball because of KOBE after watching the 2010 finals. I had never watched ball before that and that finals was the turning point of my life. I WANTED TO BE LIKE KOBE. I’m so FREAKING SAD right now!!!!
RIP LEGEND
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 26, 2020
I’m heartbroken by this news, you were a true legend, and friend. Rest In Peace @kobebryant, my thoughts and prayers to his wife and kids. #legend #mamba #goat pic.twitter.com/1VKYdbrVEk
— Tony Parker (@tonyparker) January 26, 2020
I’m stunned. Words can’t even come close to describing it. Just an incredibly sad and tragic day.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 26, 2020
A moment I will never forget. This was my first NBA game. 🙏🏼😢 https://t.co/bZepaPVJMt
— Meyers Leonard (@MeyersLeonard) January 26, 2020
RIP to the legend…you inspired millions on and off the court. Thank you for your life and influence. “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do”-… https://t.co/pAhb2BRQzx
— Anthony Tolliver (@ATolliver44) January 26, 2020
Peace and power to the Bryant family, and basketball lovers around the world. R.I.P @kobebryant 😢 #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/yn3Bgo0VAu
— Goran Dragić (@Goran_Dragic) January 26, 2020
Can’t believe it, don’t want to believe it! This is unreal! I cried when I saw the news!
Thank you @kobebryant for everything you did for basketball and for who you were as a person. I’m gonna miss you!
One of the saddest days…this one hurts a lot. pic.twitter.com/95zAuxqWUz— jose manuel calderon (@JmCalderon) January 26, 2020
R.I.P Legend 😔
Prayers up 🙏 💔 pic.twitter.com/oUAgvA1DXp
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) January 26, 2020
So sick rn… you inspired me to work as hard as I do. I use to watch you before all my highschool and college games man this one hurt me fr 😓😓 Love you Bean R.I.P. #8/24forever pic.twitter.com/niaKOWt3d7
— Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) January 26, 2020
Speechless on this plane ride home! A sad day bruh! RIP Kobe Bean Bryant! Prayers go to his family and loved ones 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 This doesn’t even feel real man..
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) January 26, 2020
Devastated to hear the news about @kobebryant. He was the best to ever do it. Praying for the Bryant family during this difficult time. Your legacy will live forever, you inspired and transformed a lot of us 😢😥😔 pic.twitter.com/8r0faP9hX2
— Bismack Biyombo (@bismackbiyombo) January 26, 2020
It’s not even about basketball at this moment, May God be with your family 🙏🏾 thank you for all the words. #RIP #kobe #8 #24 pic.twitter.com/j9zmjaoQP5
— Emmanuel Mudiay (@emmanuelmudiay) January 26, 2020
😢 I still can’t believe this is actually true … My sincere condolences to Bryant family , may the sprit of God bring you the comfort in such tough moment… RIP Kobe Bryant #nbafamily #MambaForever #loveyouKobe
— Nene Hilario (@NeneHilario42) January 26, 2020
THE DAY I EARNED YOUR RESPECT WAS A DAY ILL NEVER FORGET.! REST PEACEFULLY GOAT.! 😔😔🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/cKnTCNo23s
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) January 26, 2020
The sports world joined the NBA in remembering Bryant’s legendary career and impact.
Today we @WaltDisneyCo mourn the tragic loss of @kobebryant…a giant in sports and a person so full of life. Terrible news and so hard to process….
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) January 26, 2020
Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant – a sad day for all of sports – Kobe was a pioneer and legendary ambassador for the game of basketball . Thoughts and prayers go out to Kobe’s family . https://t.co/kn03JPIjzb
— Jay Wright (@VUCoachJWright) January 26, 2020
Still can’t believe @kobebryant 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/swscrtnFAx
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) January 26, 2020
Man not Kobe… Prayers to his family and friends! #RIPMamba
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 26, 2020
We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020
Terribly sad 😭
RIP to a legend who meant so much to so many. You will be remembered forever as the champion you are.🙏 pic.twitter.com/xRVuSf157X— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) January 26, 2020