Kobe Bryant Dies In Helicopter Crash

Five time NBA Champion, NBA MVP and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant has died in a helicopter crash in California, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Bryant was 41.

Reports say Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna was also on board and is one of nine people killed in the crash.

This photo was taken by WHBC’s Kenny Roda as Kobe Bryant left the court following his last game vs LeBron James and the Cavaliers on February 10, 2016.

This tragedy comes the day after current Lakers forward LeBron James passed Bryant for third place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and Kobe congratulated LeBron on Twitter, which is now the last tweet he sent:

NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER STATEMENT REGARDING THE PASSING OF KOBE BRYANT

 NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2020 – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Kobe Bryant:

“The NBA family is 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.  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.  He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Vanessa, and their family, the Lakers organization and the entire sports world.”

Bryant is survived by his wife Vanessa and their three other daughters Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3 and Capri, who was born just last summer.

More details on this story as they become available.

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