NBA legend Kobe Bryant killed in helicopter crash in California

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant acknowledges the applause from the crowd at the Utah Jazz game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 28, 2016. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Kobe Bryant, one of the most celebrated basketball players ever, who led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships, died in a helicopter crash Sunday morning in Calabasas, California, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.

The crash occurred shortly before 10 a.m. near Las Virgenes Road, south of Agoura Road, according the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The helicopter had nine people on board, including Bryant’s daughter Giana, 13. There were no survivors.

Bryant’s legendary career, which came to a close in 2016, was in the spotlight once again on Saturday night as LeBron James surpassed Bryant for third place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Hours before news of the crash was reported, Bryant took to Twitter to congratulate James.

Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother #33644

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020

News of Bryant’s death quickly spread throughout the NBA community, causing an outpouring of support for Bryant’s family and expressions of sadness over the tragedy of the NBA losing one of its most revered figures.

In Sunday afternoon’s game between the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors, both teams opened up the game by committing 24-second shot-clock violations, an homage to Bryant, who wore number 24.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on Sunday afternoon.

“For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning ... He will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability,” the statement read. “We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Vanessa, and their family, the Lakers organization and the entire sports world.”

Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA first-team member, two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time NBA Finals MVP and two-time NBA scoring champion, has been credited with inspiring multiple generations of basketball players.

Born in Philadelphia on Aug. 23, 1978, Bryant attended Lower Merion High School in the suburbs of Philadelphia where, as a senior, he was named Naismith High School Player of the Year, and was a McDonald’s All-American.

Bryant was drafted 13th overall out of high school in 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets and later traded to the Los Angeles Lakers before the 1996-97 season began. Though his playing time and opportunities were limited through the first two seasons in the NBA, Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest in 1997, becoming the youngest player ever to win at 18, and was a starter in his first NBA All-Star appearance in his second season despite being the Lakers’ sixth-man.

Bryant’s second season ended with a Western Conference semifinals loss to the Utah Jazz. The Jazz would go on to reach the NBA Finals and ultimately lose to the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls.

“Words can’t describe the pain I am feeling,” Jordan said in a statement. “I loved Kobe — he was like a little brother to me. ... He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force.”

In his third season, Bryant was inserted into the Lakers’ starting unit permanently and became one of the most feared guards in the league. Though the Lakers were swept in the 1998 Western Conference semifinals by the San Antonio Spurs, the next season marked Bryant’s rise to super-stardom.

Phil Jackson took over as the Lakers’ head coach in 1999 and under his guidance, Bryant led the Lakers to three consecutive championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002 alongside Shaquille O’Neal.

After coming up short in the 2003 playoffs, the 2003-2004 season was blanketed in controversy after Bryant was arrested for sexual assault in the offseason. The charges were later dropped as the parties settled in a civil suit.

Alongside former Jazz legend Karl Malone, O’Neal, Bryant and the Lakers reached another NBA Finals in 2004 but came up short against the Detroit Pistons.

Though Bryant and O’Neal’s run as a legendary duo ended in 2004, Bryant went on to win two scoring titles, score a career-high 81 against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, and win two more championships in 2009 and 2010 after partnering with Pau Gasol.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is set announce 2020 class finalists during NBA All-Star weekend in February, among which will be Bryant, in his first eligible year. Inductees will be announced in April.

The crash that killed Bryant ignited a brush fire and made it difficult for firefighters and emergency personnel to get to the aircraft, according to a watch commander for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Contributing: Richard Winton and Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times

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