Fans at an NBA match on Sunday reacted to the news of Kobe Bryant’s tragic death by chanting the star’s name.
The former LA Lakers shooting guard was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
Three other people were on board the aircraft when it went down in Calabasas, California, and have also been confirmed deceased.
A match between Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets was due to tip off when news of Bryant’s death broke.
Supporters inside the Pepsi Center, Denver, observed a moment of silence for Bryant, before his name rang out around the arena.
(Image: Getty Images)
The Athletic’s dedicated Denver Nuggets journalist Nick Kosmider tweeted: “After a moment of silence for Bryant, chants of “Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!” break out at the Pepsi Center.”
Tributes have poured in for the 41-year-old, whose record as the league’s all-time highest scorer was only surpassed by current Lakers star Lebron James on Saturday.
Bryant tweeted at the time: “Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother #33644.”
Police confirmed reports of Bryant’s death on Sunday, after emergency responders were called to the scene of the crash, but were unable to save any of the five passengers on board.
His wife Vanessa is not believed to have been involved in the accident.
The pair share three other daughters, Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri.
Judging by the flight path taken, the chopper carrying Bryant circled at least 10 times over a period of 15 minutes before crashing.
Bryant regularly used his Sikorsky S-76 helicopter to travel to and from matches at the Staples Center for years.
He remains the Lakers all-time top points scorer, and became synonymous with the successful side that won the NBA championship three times consecutively from 2000-2002, before Bryant repeated the feat twice more in 2009 and 2010.
Figures across the world of sport paid their respects to Bryant following the news of his passing.
Six-time NFL Super Bowl champion Tom Brady said: “We miss you already Kobe”, while retired NBA star Dwyane Wade wrote: “Nooooooooooo God please No!”.
