insiderblmLakers legend Kobe Bryant died Sunday in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. He was 41.
Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna was also with him when the helicopter crashed, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Bryant was reportedly on his way to a travel basketball game with another player and parent.
Kobe Bryant, former NBA superstar, and his daughter Gianna Maria Onore were killed in a helicopter crash in California.
Five people were onboard when it crashed near Calabasas, which is north of downtown Los Angeles, according to TMZ Sports. TMZ reported Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, was not on the helicopter.
The helicopter went down in the hills of Calabasas and a fire broke out. The crash occurred around 10 a.m. and the fire made it difficult for firefighters and emergency personnel to get to the aircraft, according to the city of Calabasas. Nobody on the ground was hurt.Â
None of the occupants of the helicopter survived the crash, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
ESPN senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that another player parent and their child were aboard as well. Bryant, his daughter and the other passengers were reportedly on their way to a basketball game.
News of Bryant’s death sent a wave of shock throughout those in the sports world:
Fans started gathering outside of the Staples Center upon news of the Lakers legend’s death. The Spurs and Raptors also each took intentional shot clock violations at the start of their matchup to honor No. 24.
The 18–time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA first Team led the Lakers to five NBA championships and scored 33,643 points in his 20-year NBA career. He retired from the Lakers after the 2015-16 season after spending his entire career with the franchise.
This is a developing story.
