Bryant and Daughter, Gainna 13, who died in the crash along eight others, (Names below)
Tributes for the legendary basketball star, Kobe Bryant, who died alongside 9 others in a helicopter crash on Sunday, has continued to pour in on social media following news of the crash in the city of Calabasas in Los Angeles, California.
“Terrible news,” tweeted US President Donald Trump. “He loved his family so much, and had such strong passion for the future. The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even more devastating.”
Former US 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.
Shaquille O’Neal, who played alongside Bryant at the Lakers between 1996 and 2004, said there were “no words to express the pain I’m going through”.
“I love you and you will be missed,” he wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the pair in their Lakers kits.
Deron Williams, who won an Olympic gold alongside Bryant, said he was lost for words. He described Bryant as “the greatest competitor I have ever gone up against and played with”.
And Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, said the loss was “hard to comprehend”, describing Bryant as a “magnificent athlete”.
“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.
“We’re all feeling crazy sadness right now,” said Grammys host Alicia Keys, during the awards on Sunday.
“Because earlier today Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero. We’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built
Alicia Keys and Lizzo lead tributes to Kobe Bryant at the Grammys
The NBA issued a statement saying it was “devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna”.
“For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning,” it said.
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling wrote “rest easy legend” in a tweet accompanied by a black-and-white photo of the sports star.
Eight-time Olympic gold medallist sprinter Usain Bolt said he could not believe the news.
Pop star Mariah Carey said she was in shock, while rapper, Kanye West tweeted his appreciation for “the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave”.
“This is absolutely terrible. Everyone is numb,” American actress and model Chrissy Teigen.
Messi posted on Instagram: ‘I have no words… all my love for Kobe’s family and friends. ‘It was a pleasure to meet you and share good times together. ‘You were a genius like few others.’
For Cristiano Ronaldo, it is; ‘So sad to hear the heartbreaking news of the deaths of Kobe and his daughter Gianna. ‘Kobe was a true legend and inspiration to so many. ‘Sending my condolences to his family and friends and the families of all who lost their lives in the crash. RIP Legend.’
Mourners lay wreaths and pen messages
Unbelievable but true, just Hours before his death on Sunday in a helicopter crash alongside nine others, US basketball legend Kobe Bryant had a new basketball hall named after him in far away Philippines.
Others who died in the crash
Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the helicopter’s manifest indicated that nine people were on board when it crashed, raising the number from five in earlier statements by officials.
Coroners have not officially named the victims.
But family members and colleagues said John Altobelli, coach of the Orange Coast College basketball team along with his wife Keri and their 13-year-old daughter Alyssa – who played with Bryant’s daughter, Gianna, Kobe’s daughter Gianna, 13,
Christina Mauser, a basketball coach at Gianna’s school, was also on board, her husband wrote on Facebook.
Why was Kobe Bryant so famous?
Bryant, 41, played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He retired in April 2016.
His achievements include being the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and two-time NBA Finals MVP. He was also NBA scoring champion twice and a two-time Olympic champion.
He famously scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, the second-highest single-game total in NBA history.
He also won an Oscar for best short animated film in 2018 for Dear Basketball, a five-minute film based on a love letter to the sport he had written in 2015.
Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, have three other daughters, Natalia, Bianca and Capri.
A 19-year-old woman working at a Colorado resort accused Bryant of sexual assault in 2003 by. He denied the allegation, saying the two had consensual sex. The case was dropped after the accuser refused to testify in court.
He later apologised, saying he recognised that “she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did.” A subsequent civil suit was settled out of court.
With additional reports from BBC
