Kobe Bryant
Tributes have been pouring in for former basketball star Kobe Bryant, who has died in a helicopter crash in California.
The 41-year-old, a five-time N-B-A champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, is considered one of the greatest players in the sports history.
The New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden pay tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. pic.twitter.com/KmNlTlDQXT
— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2020
It's reported nine people were killed when the aircraft came down, including Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
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
Local police said they were informed of reports of a downed aircraft at around 10am local time on a hillside at Las Virgenes Road and Willow Glen Street.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that an S-76 helicopter crashed this morning "under unknown circumstances" and that they are investigating.
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. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
Last night NBA players started a match in Texas by stopping the clock for 24 seconds -- Bryant's shirt number.
