Kobe Bryant & daughter Gianna tragically pass in helicopter crash

By Sam Neter on January 26, 2020

Kobe at Nike Town London in 2017

One of the greatest basketball players of all time, NBA legend Kobe Bryant has passed away in a tragic helicopter accident in Los Angeles on Sunday morning.

The Lakers superstar was amongst a group of five that died, including his daughter Gianna, who was just 13 years old and a promising young player. TMZ first reported the news.

Bryant played his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers, was a 5-time NBA champion, 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA team member, regular season MVP, NBA Finals MVP and four-time All-Star MVP. He is fourth on the all-time NBA scoring list, having just been surpassed by LeBron James on Friday.

The 41 year old won two Olympic gold medals, including at London 2012.

Tributes have been flooding in across social media from GB stars and the British basketball community for Kobe, who are also mourning the loss of Robert Archibald who tragically passed away on Friday.

Lost my teammate and Kobe on back to back days, cried real tears today! Will miss you both. RIP 🙏🏿😢 pic.twitter.com/S2tw4KT8sX

— Pops Mensah-Bonsu (@Pops) January 26, 2020

Favourite player to watch, thank you for the memories. RIP Kobe Bryant

— Carl Wheatle (@CWheatle57) January 26, 2020

💔😢 https://t.co/FIeG1OvMjs

— Justin Robinson (@JJRob_LDN) January 26, 2020

Kobe
5 – 💍
2 – MVP
18 – ⭐️

We hang by the thin thread of life.

RIP – Mamba pic.twitter.com/qQJ8TMt4Dl

— Vincent Macaulay (@Vincemacaulay) January 26, 2020

View this post on Instagram

Played with and against these two men. And now with in three days they have both left this Earth. Rest in peace to Kobe's daughter. Who was travelling with him on the helicopter 🙏🏽😢 #mambamentality

A post shared by drewsullivan8 (@drewsullivan8) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:19pm PST

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