By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash that took place in the city of Calabasas in California Sunday (26/1) morning. The heartbreaking news was reported by TMZ and then by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Bryant was on board a private helicopter when a fire broke out in the vehicle and it went down. The crash resulted in nine people getting killed, according to officials, including the NBA legend and five-time champion.
Kobe was 41. Later, it was also confirmed that his daughter Gianna was also killed in the crash.
Born in Philadelphia on August 23, 1978, Bryant grew up to become not only one of the best basketball players of all time but an icon for sports overall. He spent the entirety of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, playing for them from 1996 to 2016 and winning five NBA championship titles. He was a two-time NBA Finals MVP (2009, 2010) while being named season MVP in 2008.
He was also a two-time (2008, 2012) Olympic gold medalist with Team USA.
Bryant retired in 2016 as the third-leading scorer in NBA history, finishing two decades with the Lakers as a prolific scorer with a sublime all-around game and a relentless competitive ethic. He held that spot in the league scoring ranks until Saturday night when the Lakers’ LeBron James passed him for third place during a game in Philadelphia, Bryant’s hometown.
“Continuing to move the game forward (at)KingJames,” Bryant wrote in his last tweet. “Much respect my brother.”