Retired NBA superstar Kobe Bryant was reportedly killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday morning (January 26). According to TMZ, everyone onboard the flight was killed.
Although emergency personnel responded as quickly as possible, they were unable to save anyone’s life. Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, was reportedly not one of the passengers on the flight.
Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowksi confirmed Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna was one of the passengers who was also killed.
“Sources: Kobe Bryant was on his way to a travel basketball game with his daughter Gianna when the helicopter crashed,” he tweeted. “Those aboard the helicopter also included another player and parent.”
Sources: Kobe Bryant was on his way to a travel basketball game with his daughter Gianna when the helicopter crashed. Those aboard the helicopter also included another player and parent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020
Bryant has famously travelled by helicopters for years. He routinely flew from Newport Beach, California to Los Angeles Stapes Center in his Sikorsky S-76 chopper when he played for the L.A. Lakers.
Throughout his tenured 20-year career with the Lakers, Bryant made 18 All-Star teams. He was a first-round pick in the 1996 draft and won five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVPs and he was the league MVP in 2008.
Hip Hop has come out in droves to express their sympathy and disbelief via Twitter.
Check out the reactions below.
Kobe, We love you brother
We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave pic.twitter.com/pxbgLOOmpY
— ye (@kanyewest) January 26, 2020
We lost a King. 824
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) January 26, 2020
My Heart is broken…RIP Kobe. God Bless his family!
— DJ Jazzy Jeff (@djjazzyjeff215) January 26, 2020
…HE was ‘different’. Our discussion not long back was about ‘daughters’ AND transitions. He sought to make a DIFFERENCE. He just got started & he created many paths.. Ive said many times as a young-HE was the most manner able ‘athlete’ I ever met. He was DIFFERENT #RIPKOBE248pic.twitter.com/hdrxcWWVsj
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) January 26, 2020
Unreal. No words. His daughters.
— PHAROAHE MONCH (@pharoahemonch) January 26, 2020
RIP KOBE , SO SAD , SUCH A SAD DAY N SAD NEWS , WE LOVE U
— LORD FLACKO JODYE II (@asvpxrocky) January 26, 2020
Oh shit I hope this Kobe shit isn’t real……
— Knowledge Of Selfie (@atrak) January 26, 2020
Just got the AWFUL news about Kobe….. Man!!!!! I’m speechless.
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) January 26, 2020
God bless Kobe’s wife and family ❤️
Let’s pls also say a prayer for the others who passed away. What a terrible accident, so sad ??— French Montana (@FrencHMonTanA) January 27, 2020
Oh shit no Kobe no please God ??????
— Rah Digga (@therealrahdigga) January 26, 2020
We’re never ready for this type of news RIP Kobe Bryant ??
— Swae Lee Lee Swae (@SwaeLee) January 26, 2020
The tragedy of dying alongside his daughter..this is beyond sad https://t.co/R999ICWdbm
— ZION I (@ZIONI) January 26, 2020
Finna smoke a fat ass jernt for everybody …. fuck man.
— Spitta (@CurrenSy_Spitta) January 26, 2020
R.I.P. Kobe Bryant this is so sad I can’t believe it
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) January 26, 2020
Tried to smoke and it don't even taste right to me. Man I feel like a kid who lost his super heroe in real life.
— planetasia (@planetasia) January 26, 2020
This shit crushed so many kids rn this nigga was some of these Kids MJ!
— zoey dollaz (@ZoeyDollaz) January 26, 2020
Everybody hug and appreciate your family and loved ones tonight… Life is soooo precious and not guaranteed… My sincere condolences to the Bryant family.. I can’t fathom their pain..? pic.twitter.com/eL3VGrK2Ql
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) January 27, 2020
Legit crying for Kobe. Im not a sports fan but I am an Los Angeles fan and a fan of excellence. Was gonna rest up today but now in the Mamba’s name imma work on the craft. RIP KOBE BRYANT
— ALLxCITYxJIMMY (@MCNocando) January 26, 2020
what the fuck?!?!?!?!?! this might be the most shocked I've ever been at a celeb death. unreal. four daughters….damn man. rest in peace to the legend and positive energy to his family.
— Trackstar the DJ (@djtrackstar) January 26, 2020
— myka 9 (@myka9) January 26, 2020
This is making my head hurt! Can’t even cope with this
— SELF JUPITER (@JUPRACOBRAH) January 26, 2020
KOBE IS THE FUCKING GOAT I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS ?
— SADISTIK (@TheRealSadistik) January 26, 2020
DAAAAAMN IM SICK ?????
— PETEROCK.COM (@PeteRock) January 26, 2020
im on a airplane rn so crash news is hitting me different regardless but my brain just cant accept this as real
— Open Mike Eagle (@Mike_Eagle) January 26, 2020
Kobe.!?!
— ??????? (@EQUIPTO) January 26, 2020
RIP KOBE BRYANT!!! GOD BLESS UR SOUL..
— BIG BODY BES (@BigBodyBesNYC) January 26, 2020
Wooooow 🙁
— DJ Eclipse (@ItsDJEclipse) January 26, 2020
real tears.
— 3.0 (@LuckyovLegends) January 26, 2020
????? Kobe this cant be real!!!
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) January 26, 2020
Fuuuuuuck.
— Rakaa (Iriscience) (@TheRealRakaa) January 26, 2020
Damn man RIP Kobe, fucked up
— Reason the Citizen (@ReasonCitizen) January 26, 2020
REST IN PEACE KING @kobebryant THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU GAVE US AND SHOWED US. WE LOVE YOU BROTHER. #Mamba4Ever
— MONTANAof300 (@MONTANAof300) January 26, 2020
Really sad. #kobe
— Statik Selektah (@StatikSelekt) January 26, 2020