The world is in mourning tonight, as US media outlet TMZ have reported that basketball legend Kobe Bryant is among those dead in a fatal helicopter crash in Los Angeles. His daughter Gianna Maria was also on board the helicopter which crashed just before 10 am. Bryant was one of five that have been confirmed dead by the authorities, and millions have posted on social media to honour the former Los Angeles Lakers star.
The shocking news story broke on social media with TMZ announcing that he was among the people dead because of the crash. The report later confirmed that one of his daughters were also on board. The report was quickly picked up by the globe’s media, with the story quickly becoming the most viewed story. That will come as little surprise since Bryant was a man that encapsulated precisely what basketball is all about.
Iconic Career & Legacy
Millions of people were quick to post their emotional posts surrounding Bryant, with many highlighting him as a reason for their love of the sport. He spent the entirety of his career with the Lakes, as he was a starring man that helped lead the franchise to five NBA Championships. During his career, he also won two Olympic gold medals for the USA.
He is one of the most well-known sports stars in the world, and renowned as one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. He was named in 18 All-Star matches and won the MVP award in 2008. He was immediately picked up by the Lakers after spending his college career in Philadelphia. His legacy with the Lakers remains unprecedented, as the franchise have retired both the numbers that he played wearing during his career- eight and 24.
Stars Mourn Legendary Figure
Celebrities from the world of entertainment and sport were quick to post their emotional messages about the star, with all of them referencing how much of a gentleman he was off the court. They admitted that although he was one of the legends of the game, he was never too busy to offer support or advice.
The 41-year-old was honoured by the official page for the USA national team, as they simply posted a picture alongside the captain ‘Legend’. Pharrell Williams also posted his admiration for the star. He added that ‘the world has lost a giant today. Rest in peace’. The NBA games on Sunday evening are set to go ahead, with the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets holding a minutes silence before their game.
