Kobe Bryant, considered one of the greatest players in NBA history, was among nine people who died in a helicopter crash Sunday morning in Southern California.
He was 41.
The cause of the crash is under invesitgation.
Bryant, who attended high school at Lower Merion in eastern Pennsylvania, retired in 2016 after playing 20 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers.
He won five NBA championships and was an 18-time all-star.
He finished his career with 33,643 points, good for fourth all-time. He was passed Saturday night by the Lakers’ LeBron James (33,644).
Reactions quickley appeared on social media from around the sports world.
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
As I try to write this post, my mind is racing. I’m in disbelief and have been crying all morning over this devastating news that Kobe and his young daughter, Gigi have passed away in a helicopter crash. Cookie and I are heartbroken. pic.twitter.com/X2vF0M0a1u
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
My friend, a legend, husband, father, son, brother, Oscar winner and greatest Laker of all-time is gone. It’s hard to accept. Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players. pic.twitter.com/NXsrXmCkkG
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
Laker Nation, the game of basketball & our city, will never be the same without Kobe. Cookie & I are praying for Vanessa, his beautiful daughters Natalia, Bianka & Capri, as well as his parents Joe & Pam & his sisters. We will always be here for the Bryant family. pic.twitter.com/WWxmtEAJqZ
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
Nooooooooooo God please No!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020
Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/9EZuwk8wrV
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) January 26, 2020
Please no. Please god no. It can’t be true.
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) 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
PLEASE @NBA RETIRED 24! LEAGUE WIDE!!
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) January 26, 2020
All the Lessons
All the Advice
Every word you ever told me…
Will stick with me foreverThank You Kobe??❤️ pic.twitter.com/WPCdHg3iyt
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 26, 2020
Jeannine & I are absolutely shocked to hear of the loss of one of my favorite people & one of the best basketball minds in the history of the game! Our hearts & prayers to Vanessa & his girls. @kobebryant you were my biggest fan, but I was yours #RIPMAMBA @NBA @espn @SLAMonline pic.twitter.com/Ll0BD6VWgr
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) January 26, 2020
Statement from Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/oI7w6e7HLI
— Estee Portnoy (@esteep) January 26, 2020
My heart is broken for Kobe and his family. I’ll never forget the battles but what I really admired was the father he was to his girls. Rest In Peace old friend with your angel Gianna ?
— Steve Nash (@SteveNash) January 26, 2020
The game has lost a real champion. Our thoughts & prayers go out to the Bryant family & the families of those lost today. pic.twitter.com/LLLBMJCUUm
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) January 26, 2020
Devastated to hear the news on my friend @kobebryant passing. Prayers go out to his wife Vanessa and his children and the @Lakers family. pic.twitter.com/Oki9GkYEu5
— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) January 26, 2020
“For those Kobe fans that are out there, that are feeling like I feel right now, just try and think of all the joy that he brought you.”
Brian Shaw reacts to the reported passing of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/WjAwmIHQle
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2020
We can never forget how precious life is. How those who are special to you and never let them forget how deeply you love them
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 26, 2020
— NBA (@NBA) January 26, 2020
Kobe Bryant was not only one of the greatest basketball players ever, he was also the hardest working player I’ve ever been around. I was so fortunate to have known him and coached him with Team USA. Our thoughts and our prayers are with his wife, Vanessa, and the Bryant family.
— Jim Boeheim (@therealboeheim) January 26, 2020
Tiger Woods reflects on the tragic passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/t4F2Sqj57Z
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 26, 2020
We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️????
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020
No KoBe No… ?
— Darrelle Revis (@Revis24) January 26, 2020
Heart breaking to hear about Kobe and his daughter but also ALL who lost their lives in the crash! He was a husband, father, mentor, a Legend! @Lakers
— Rod Woodson (@RodWoodson26) January 26, 2020
The love between a father and daughter is like no other. I’m at a loss for words. My thoughts and prayers are with the Bryant family??
— Jerome Bettis (@JeromeBettis36) January 26, 2020
I just met Kobe last wednesday, was in his office talking about our books and how everyday in life is a grind. I don’t believe this.
— James Conner (@JamesConner_) January 26, 2020
— James Conner (@JamesConner_) January 26, 2020
Sick ain’t even the word man…
— Diontae Johnson (@Juiceup__3) January 26, 2020
Oh God I wanna cry
— Vince Williams (@VinnyVidiVici98) January 26, 2020
My condolences to the Bryant family. I hope the world gives his family respect, time and prayers to deal will their loss. RIP Kobe
— Lynn Swann (@Lynn88Swann) January 26, 2020
Speechless… proves that life is too short. Rest in Heaven, you a true role model @kobebryant #Mamba
— Miles Sanders (@BoobieMilesXXIV) January 26, 2020
Can’t be true.
Just can’t be.
Truly truly horrific.Rest In Peace Kobe.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 26, 2020
Crushed. RIP Mamba.
— Mason Rudolph (@Rudolph2Mason) January 26, 2020
Blessings to the Bryant Family. Especially his wife and kids! R.I.P. King!!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 26, 2020
Wow ! I can’t wrap my mind around this. A tragedy for so many ! We will never forget this legend and man! Praying for the Bryant family. ? @ Buffalo, New York https://t.co/CB0784CW0D
— Jim Kelly (@JimKelly1212) January 26, 2020
Kobe you were my idol… period. Mentality through and through. Thank you. To your family, I wish y’all nothing but the very best. Prayers and thoughts with you don’t begin to describe what we want for y’all. Love and respect to #8 & #24 forever. #MambaMentality #Mamba
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) January 26, 2020
My heart hurts for Kobe and his family. Life aint fair man. This cant be
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) January 26, 2020
Kobe lived just down the road. Everyone in the area had nothing but great things to say about him. Rare for someone of his stature. A true legend. Incredibly sad
— Phil Hughes (@PJHughes45) January 26, 2020
Loss of words about Kobe. Hug your loved ones and tell them how much you love them. Gone way to soon. Life is so precious, cherish every second.
— Sean Casey (@TheMayorsOffice) January 26, 2020
Shocked and stunned by this news. Kobe was more than sports, he was a cultural icon who made an impact on all of us. My heart hurts for his wife, family, and all others involved.
— Hunter Pence (@hunterpence) January 26, 2020
You can lose you’re everything…at any time…Live in the moment…I’ll forever cherish my yellow #8 jersey from the 2nd grade in so many ways.#MambaInPeace
— LaMont Wade ? (@Goony_38) January 26, 2020
— NHL (@NHL) January 27, 2020
“On behalf of myself, the players and staff at AS Roma, we join the rest of the sporting world in mourning the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant. Kobe was a true icon and our thoughts are now with his family and the families of all of the victims aboard that flight.”
Jim Pallotta pic.twitter.com/bsmBumeLpg— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) January 26, 2020
Heartbroken by the loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter.
PA will never forget our time as Kobe’s home. At Lower Merion HS, he captured our hearts and the attention of the world. He truly shined and brought pride to our state.
Frances and I pray for all those who loved them. pic.twitter.com/lTmZgcJ60E
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) January 26, 2020
Neymar paid tribute to Kobe Bryant by holding up the iconic No. 24 after scoring for PSG. ?
(via @beINSPORTSUSA)pic.twitter.com/svYirpiOTZ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) January 26, 2020
