Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty
We lost a legend. Kobe Bryant, regarded as one of greatest NBA players of all time, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday (Jan. 26). He was 41 years old. The crash also claimed the life of his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.
Bryant and young basketball talent, Gianna, were traveling to a basketball game. Giana’s teammate and another parent also were onboard. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that there were nine people onboard and no survivors from the accident.
In Bryant’s last social media post, he congratulated LeBron James, who just on Saturday (Jan. 25), passed Bryant’s record for the third top-scoring NBA player of all time. James and the LA Lakers were playing in Philadelphia, Bryant’s hometown, at the time that James surpassed Bryant’s record.
Gianna was the second to the oldest child of Bryant and was being groomed to follow in her father’s footsteps as a rising basketball star. She played basketball for the Los Angeles Lady Mamba girls basketball team, and hoped to play for the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team one day.
Bryant played his entered 20-year career in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships.
Bryant is survived by his wife Vanessa Bryant, 37, and three of their daughters Natalia, 17, Bianca, 3, and newborn Capri, 7 months.
1. Atlanta Hawks vs Brooklyn Nets
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 21: Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi, watch an NBA basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks on December 21, 2019 at Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Nets won 122-112.
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3. Kobe Bryant and Daughter Gianna Bryant
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 29: Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
4. Los Angeles Remembers NBA Star Kobe Bryant
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: Former NBA player Kobe Bryant is remembered outside the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Bryant, 41, and his daughter died in a helicopter crash earlier today in Calabasas, California.
5. US-ACCIDENT-BASKET-NBA-BRYANT
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People gather around a makeshift memorial for former NBA and Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant after learning of his death at LA Live plaza in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles on January 26, 2020. – NBA legend Kobe Bryant died January 26, 2020 in a helicopter crash in suburban Los Angeles, celebrity website TMZ reported, saying five people are confirmed dead in the incident.
6. Boston Celtics v New Orleans Pelicans
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 26: Nike shoe worn by Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans memorializing former NBA player Kobe Bryant who was killed in a helicopter crash are pictured as he warms up before a game against the Boston Celtics at the Smoothie King Center on January 26, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
7. Los Angeles Remembers NBA Star Kobe Bryant
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: Fans are seen at a memorial started next to a mural of Kobe Bryant on Melrose Avenue on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Bryant, was a five-time NBA champion and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was 41.
8. Los Angeles Remembers NBA Star Kobe Bryant
Source:Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: Flowers and tributes are left at a makeshift memorial for former NBA player Kobe Bryant outside the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Bryant, 41, and his daughter died in a helicopter crash earlier today in Calabasas, California.
