The crash occurred about 20 miles from Mamba Sports Academy, Bryant’s basketball training complex in Newbury Park, California. “He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary … 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.” “For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. Bryant is all but certain to be elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this year, when he is eligible for the first time. The basketball world and Los Angeles reacted with an outpouring of pain and disbelief. He continued to use them after retirement as he attended to his new ventures, which included a burgeoning entertainment company that recently produced an Academy Award-winning animated short film. He traveled to practices and games by helicopter before his playing career ended in 2016. No names were released.īryant lived south of Los Angeles in coastal Orange County, and he often used helicopters to save time and avoid Southern California’s notorious traffic. Bryant was killed, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press, and a different person familiar with the case confirmed Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna also died.īoth of the AP‘s unnamed sources spoke on condition of anonymity because few details of the crash had been released publicly.Īuthorities said nine people were on the helicopter, and all were presumed dead. The crash occurred in the foggy hills above Calabasas, California, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Twitter Reacts: NBA players, legends and others reflect on the superstarīryant, the 18-time All-Star who won five NBA championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career all with the Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday.NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s statement.Less than four years into his retirement, Bryant was seizing new challenges and working to inspire his daughters’ generation through sports and storytelling when his next chapter ended shockingly early. He earned Los Angeles’ eternal adoration during his two decades as the fierce soul of the beloved Lakers, and he was respected by basketball fans from every place with a hoop and a dream, including his native Philadelphia and in Italy, his other childhood home. LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kobe Bryant inspired a generation of basketball players worldwide with sublime skills and an unquenchable competitive fire.

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