NBA icon Kobe Bryant and daughter die in helicopter crash

Basketball icon Kobe Bryant has died in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, California on Sunday morning. 

Bryant, who won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, was 41. 

According Alex Villanueva, the Los Angeles County Sheriff, nine lives were lost — including Bryant’s daughter. 

 

 

 

 

 

Villanueva said the investigation could take a great deal of time. 

The basketball world honoured Bryant’s legacy immediately the best way they knew how — on the court.

Among the many tributes were the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns. After winning the game’s opening tip-off, the Grizzlies purposely took a 24-second shot clock violation to honour Bryant, who wore No. 24. The Suns then took an 8 second back-court violation to honour Bryant’s other number.