Basketball Legend Kobe Bryant Dies In Helicopter Crash

US basketball legend and five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant widely considered one of the greatest players in the game’s history was among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the city of Calabasas, California according to reports.

The retired N.B.A. star, 41, and one of his daughters,Gianna was among the passengers travelling in a private helicopter when it crashed and burst into flames.

Investigations are still ongoing to determine the identity of the other passengers.

Tributes from celebrities and fellow sports stars have been pouring in, many expressing shock at the sudden death of the basketball star Bryant who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for the entirety of his two-decade career, winning the NBA Finals five times.

Tributes From Around The World

Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020

https://twitter.com/12SportsAZ/status/1221558341236748288

Mbappe, Drogba, Rashford and others react to Kobe Bryant's death. pic.twitter.com/3uCs4FguZF

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) 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

By Gerald Dandah