Basketball legend Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash

Kobe Bryant, the previous Los Angeles Lakers basketball participant, died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday, leaving the US Nationwide Basketball Affiliation mourning a legend.

Mr Bryant was one in all 5 individuals killed within the crash round 10am PT on Sunday morning, in response to the Metropolis of Calabasas, in Los Angeles county. The LA County Sheriff’s division stated there have been no survivors.

The 41-year-old, born in Philadelphia, spent his 20-year skilled basketball profession enjoying for the LA Lakers basketball staff, the place he famously partnered with the centre Shaquille O’Neal to type an all-star duo. Mr Bryant received 5 NBA championships and two gold medals for basketball, retiring from the game in 2016.

FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2015 file photo Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Los Angeles. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. He was 41. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Bryant dunks through the first half of an NBA basketball recreation towards the Indiana Pacers in Los Angeles in 2015. © AP

Since his retirement, he remained an envoy for the sport, showing as a frequent author and commentator for ESPN, and exhibiting up courtside at video games. He received an Oscar in 2018 for greatest animated quick movie for his film Expensive Basketball.

Mr Bryant, whose jersey numbers eight and 24 have each been retired by the Lakers, gave himself the nickname “Black Mamba” in reference to the competitiveness, ferocity and talent to attain from anyplace on the court docket that he was recognized for.

Mr Bryant’s last tweet was in reward of one of many league’s largest superstars, LeBron James, who handed him for third-place on the NBA’s all-time scoring listing on Saturday evening in Philadelphia.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by KERIM OKTEN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10539833c) (FILE) - epa01465123 USA Kobe Bryant (L), Lebron James (2nd), Dwane Wade (3rd) and Carmelo Anthony celebrate their gold medal match at Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium in Beijing, China, 24 August 2008 (reissued 26 January 2020). According to media reports former US basketball player Kobe Bryant has died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, USA on 26 January 2020. He was 41. Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash, Beijing, China - 24 Aug 2008
Kobe Bryant (L), Lebron James (2nd), Dwane Wade (third) and Carmelo Anthony have fun their gold medal match at Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium in Beijing, China, 24 August 2008 © KERIM OKTEN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
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