Kobe Bryant’s death comes as a massive shock and according to news sources, the former 5x NBA champion was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California along with four others (including his daughter) at about 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on January 26, 2020.
According to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Bryant on his way to a travel basketball game with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna when the helicopter crashed in heavy fog, also killing Gianna’s teammate and her teammate’s parent; which he learned from sources.
Sources: Kobe Bryant was on his way to a travel basketball game with his daughter Gianna when the helicopter crashed. Those aboard the helicopter also included another player and parent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020
Kobe Bryant was 41 years old at the time of his death and was one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball, retiring from the sport following the 2015-16 season after playing all 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was drafted right out of high school and went on to win 5 NBA championships (2x finals MVP), was a multiple-time all-star, once most valuable player (2008), fourth-ranked all-time scorer, and the list could go for his amazing achievements and contributions.
Bryant was often compared to Michael Jordan which was a testament of just how great he was and no one could deny that he elevated the game to another level which will never be forgotten.
Kobe Bryant’s former teammate Shaquille O’Neal, who he won multiple championships with was absolutely lost for words…
“There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW“…
There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
NFL star Tom Brady, NBA legend Dwyane Wade, and singer Justin Bieber also Tweeted in shock after hearing of the news.
Here’s a video of the crowd that surrounded the Staples Center to pay their respects to the legend.
https://twitter.com/ProudResister/status/1221538293910654977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1221538293910654977&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etonline.com%2Fkobe-bryants-fans-gather-around-staples-center-to-honor-late-nba-star-140291
Again, this is some very unfortunate news and we’ll have more information about this unfortunate incident when we learn of the details as it’s still under investigation.
