Photo courtesy of ESPNReports came pouring in early Sunday afternoon that Kobe Bryant passed away in a helicopter crash. There was a frenzy of disbelief on Twitter as fans, celebrities and athletes caught wind of the news and expressed their condolences about Bryant’s sudden unexpected passing.
According to the LA Times, the crash occurred on Jan. 26 shortly before 10 a.m. near Las Virgenes Road in California. Bryant was one of nine killed in the crash including his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.
Bryant played all 20 years of his professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers, during which time he was an 18-time All-Star and five-time NBA champion. He won an MVP in 2008 and was the NBA Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010. He finished his career with 33,643 points, 7,047 rebounds and 6,306 assists and is expected to be elected into the Hall of Fame in 2021.
Bryant is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and their three surviving children: Natalia (17 years old), Bianka (3 years old) and Capri Kobe Bryant who is less than a year old.