Lakers and NBA legend Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash

Kobe Byant 41, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna passed away in a helicopter crash Sunday morning in Calabasas, California.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was first alarmed when an incident around Las Virgenes Roadd and Willow Glen Street was first reported at approximately 10 am after a group of mountain bikers detected the smoke.

The LA county Sheriff confirmed that nine bodies were found, it is believed that Gianna’s teammate and her parent also lost their lives.

Chief Daryl Osby from the county’s department said that the identities of the passengers are yet to be confirmed.

ABC news confirmed that the former Basketball player was heading in his private Sikorsky S-76 to his Mamba academy for a basketball game he was going to coach before the disruption in the helicopter occured.

Bryant spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, winning five NBA championships and 18 All-Star titles before retiring in 2016.

A number of players and sporting figures were quick to express their emotions:

Paris Saint Germain star Neymar JR dedicated his celebration to honour the late shooting guard after scoring against Lille. Photo: Metro

Former teammate and good friend Shaquille O’Neal conveyed his grieve on social media

Another NBA legend sent his condolences and expressed his sadness via internet as well. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said in a video: “Kobe was an incredible family man, he loved his wife and his daughters, an incredible athlete and a leader, he inspired a whole generation of young athletes.’’

Abdul-Jabbar concluded: ‘’Rest in peace young man.’’