LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday. He was 41. His 13-year old daughter, Gianna, who was following in his footsteps as a basketball player, is believed to have died in the crash as well.
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Bryant died in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, California, a source told The Associated Press. It was unclear if family members were on the helicopter.
FILE – This Feb. 26, 2018 file photo shows Vanessa Bryant, from left, Kobe Bryant, Natalia Bryant and Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant at the world premiere of “A Wrinkle in Time” in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Bryant retired in 2016 as the third-leading scorer in NBA history, finishing two decades with the Lakers as a prolific scorer with a sublime all-around game and a relentless competitive ethic. He held that spot in the league scoring ranks until Saturday night, when the Lakers’ LeBron James passed him for third place during a game in Philadelphia, Bryant’s hometown.
This is so heartbreaking 😭 my heart goes out to all that were involved, especially Vanessa as she’s dealing with an infant 💙 https://t.co/RkqgovE3Jn
— toni (@toniarruda27) January 26, 2020
Kobe, wife Vanessa and daughters Natalia and Gianna at the 2016 Kid’s Choice Sports Awards (PHOTO: PR Photos)
“Continuing to move the game forward (at)KingJames,” Bryant wrote in his last tweet. “Much respect my brother.”
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Bryant had one of the greatest careers in recent NBA history and became one of the game’s most popular players as the face of the 16-time NBA champion Lakers franchise. He was the league MVP in 2008 and a two-time NBA scoring champion, and he earned 12 selections to the NBA’s All-Defensive teams.
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 26, 2020
He teamed with Shaquille O’Neal in a combustible partnership to lead the Lakers to NBA titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002. He later teamed with Pau Gasol to win two more titles in 2009 and 2010.
Oh god, my heart goes out to Vanessa. I can’t even fathom. RIP Kobe and Gianna. What an unbearable loss. pic.twitter.com/8CboAf1r0D
— Smug Thespian (@actingsmug) January 26, 2020
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