Tributes have begun to flood in for Kobe Bryant, US basketball icon, who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California at the age of 41.
The NBA star was travelling alongside three other persons including Gianna, his 13-year-old daughter, on Sunday, when his private helicopter crashed. There were no survivors.
The basketball legend and his daughter were reportedly on their way to the Mamba Academy for a basketball practice when the crash occurred.
Fans, colleagues, celebrities, sports organisations across the globe have taken to social media platforms to pay him their last respect.
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“Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day,” Barack Obama, former US president tweeted.
“Our country lost a great Basketball player and a wonderful husband to his wife and family. You will be sadly missed #KobeBryant and my thoughts and prayers are with your family, God gained another Angel in Heaven this afternoon may you RIP #Kobe and fly high with the Angels,” a Twitter user said.
“We have no words to express how shocked we are to hear of the tragic passing of one of the greatest sportsmen of all time and Rossonero fan, Kobe Bryant. All our thoughts are with the families of those affected by this tragic accident. You will forever be missed, Kobe,” AC Milan, Italian football club wrote.
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Here are some tributes for Kobe Bryant:
Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
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Our country lost a great Basketball player and a wonderful husband to his wife and family. You will be sadly missed #KobeBryant and my thoughts and prayers are with your family,God gained another Angel in Heaven this afternoon may you RIP #Kobe and fly high with the Angels!!!!
— Brett Boggs (@BrettBoggs2) January 26, 2020
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
Advertisement— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
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#RIPMAMBA I'm not a basketball fan but I can't deny that Kobe is one of the greatest athletes of all time. May God rest his soul.
— Gorō Majima (真島 吾朗) (@Mad_DogTojo) January 26, 2020
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We have no words to express how shocked we are to hear of the tragic passing of one of the greatest sportsmen of all time and Rossonero fan, Kobe Bryant. All our thoughts are with the families of those affected by this tragic accident. You will forever be missed, Kobe 🙏❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/FOd365chEL
Advertisement— AC Milan (@acmilan) January 26, 2020
For this current generation of NBA players, Kobe was the player they all grew up watching and idolizing. This was their hero, their Superman. This one is going to be felt throughout the league for a while.
— David Mendez-Yapkowitz (@Dave_Yapkowitz) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/LakeShowFamily/status/1221522892279730177?s=20
We all have to digest the fact that we are all gonna die one day. Some ll go viral, also nobody ll know about some people’s death. Anything you do just do good anyway you can. RIP kobe 💔. I fell in love with the game 🏀 cos of you.
— House of Hopper (@hopperjLFC) January 26, 2020
Kobe inspired me to be the person I am today. I use the mamba mentality with every task that I face in life. He may be gone, but his legacy will forever live not only in basketball but in life
— HIMMY 5th GEAR (@HIMMY_WILLIAMS) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/TheCzar_BK/status/1221543511658586116?s=20
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on the passing of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/fkbkYYIFHp
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2020
"We gotta celebrate Kobe's history and that's what I think a true champion would want." Rick Ross mourns NBA legend Kobe Bryant at the #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/3hwQZzRPEe
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) January 26, 2020
Tiger reacts to the death of Kobe Bryant
(via @PGATOUR) pic.twitter.com/EpOBNMb8ey
— SI Golf (@SI_Golf) January 26, 2020
We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020
https://twitter.com/tonyparker/status/1221527048771883008
I’m stunned. Words can’t even come close to describing it. Just an incredibly sad and tragic day.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 26, 2020
Still can’t believe @kobebryant 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/swscrtnFAx
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) January 26, 2020
Legends not suppose to go out like that.
— Tai Jack Webster I. (@Tjawtherula) January 26, 2020
What?? 😩 Couldn’t believe it when I woke up this morning. RIP Kobe Bryant 🐍 🙏🏽
— Tai Wesley (@twes42) January 26, 2020
Man I don’t even know where to start😭😭 I started playing ball because of KOBE after watching the 2010 finals. I had never watched ball before that and that finals was the turning point of my life. I WANTED TO BE LIKE KOBE. I’m so FREAKING SAD right now!!!!
RIP LEGEND
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 26, 2020
This is not real right now
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 26, 2020
Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
Like everyone, I’m stunned and saddened by the news about Kobe Bryant. My heart is broken for his wife and family.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe Bryant. I cannot believe I just typed those words. Just impossible to comprehend. He was becoming as big a force in his second career as he was on the court. God bless his wife and children.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 26, 2020
My heart is in pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy. I can’t fathom what the families are going through. Kobe meant so much to me and to us all. Sending my prayers, love, and endless condolences to Vanessa and the family and anyone who lost someone on that flight.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 26, 2020
We are shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant.
The world of sport has lost a true legend. We send our heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of all the victims at this terribly sad time. pic.twitter.com/ZuNk5SClEe
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 26, 2020
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