Kobe Bryant, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard and the most popular NBA basketball player in China, will killed in a helicopter crash along with his 13 year-old daughter, Gianna Maria Onore, and seven others on a very foggy Sunday morning in Calabasas, California.
There were no survivors. He was 41. Bryant leaves behind his wife Vanessa, and three other daughters, Natalia, Bianca and Capri.
Number 24 played all his 20 years (1996 to 2016) in the NBA with the Lakers, whom he led to five NBA titles. He retired from the NBA after the league's 2015-16 season.
"Everyone is in shock," said a source from the Lakers.
Kobe and the other passengers were aboard a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter owned by Bryant that took off from the John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California Sunday morning. Bryant and his daughter were on their way to Mamba Academy in nearby Thousand Oaks for a basketball game when the crash occurred. Gigi was to have played in this game. Kobe was the coach of Gigi's team.
The helicopter crashed in Calabasas at about 9:47 a.m., exploded and burst into flames. Eyewitnesses interviewed by media reported hearing a very loud noise, seeming to confirm the helicopter smashed into the hill. TV video shows the still smoldering wreckage of the helicopter.
Fire fighters and first responders from the Los Angeles County Fire Department rushed to the scene of the crash, and extinguished the fire by 10:30 a.m. Initial reports confirm the helicopter crashed in the mountains above Calabasas in heavy fog.
The city of Calabasas tweeted: "It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Kobe Bryant and four others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas. The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes around 10:00 this morning. Nobody on the ground was hurt. The FAA and NTSB are investigating."
Thousands of heart-broken fans, some of them in tears and many of them wearing Bryant's Number 24, immediately gathered outside Staples Center in Los Angeles, many to share their grief at the sudden and tragic death of their idol. Fans could be heard shouting "We love you, Kobe," while others were saying they couldn't' believe it. Huge photos of the NBA great were displayed outside Staples while American TV had the news of his death as their main story. There is a wreath with a message: "Kobe we love you RIP."
The two-time NBA MVP, two time Olympic Gold medal winner and 18 time NBA All-Star was especially popular in China and was the most popular non-Chinese NBA player in the coutry along with another NBA legend, Yao Ming.
"The Black Mamba," as Bryant, was also known, is reported to have the largest fan base in China. His No. 24 jersey even outsells that of Ming's. Sports pundits said Bryant's huge popularity in China were due to his basketball genius, his selfless philanthropy, and his appreciation of China' culture and its people.
LA Lakers forward LeBron James, who earlier passed Bryant for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list, inscribed his sneakers with "Mamba 4 Life" and "8/24 KB" in gold marker showing respect for Bryant before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers lost the game.
"Kobe's a legend, that's for damn sure," said James.
Playing against each other Sunday, the Toronto Raptors and the San Antonio Spurs showed their respect for the late superstar by letting the 24 second shot clock expire on each of their first possessions after the game began. Bryant wore the No. 24 for much of his career. The only other number he wore was No. 8.
"Seeing him come straight out of high school, he is someone that I used as inspiration," said James. "It was like, wow. Seeing a kid, 17 years old, come into the NBA and trying to make an impact on a franchise, I used it as motivation. He helped me before he even knew of me because of what he was able to do. So, just to be able to, at this point of my career, to share the same jersey that he wore, be with this historical franchise and just represent the purple and gold, it's very humbling and it's dope."
Shaquille O'Neal, who won three titles with Bryant with the Lakers, said there are "no words to express the pain I'm going through now with this tragic and sad moment of loosing my friend, my brother, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie. I love you brother and you will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW !"
The NBA was in shock at Bryant's untimely death.
"The NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna," said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
"For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning. He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary: five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals. But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability."
The National Basketball Players Association said they're "stunned and saddened by the news of the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant." It called Bryant's death "a monumental loss for the entire basketball community and our hearts are quite simply broken. We send love and prayers out to his wife Vanessa and the entire family."
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the all-time NBA scoring leader, tweeted, "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."
Former president Barack Obama said 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."
Bryant was the third-leading scorer in league history with 33,643 points, until James passed him on Saturday. He became eligible to enter the Hall of Fame this year and will certainly be selected when the 2020 class is enshrined.
