Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday morning.
The legendary basketball star was traveling with four other people when his private aircraft crashed alongside Las Virgenes Road near Willow Glen Street.
Magic Johnson and former President Barack Obama were among the NBA stars friends and fans who took to social media to share their shock and sadness.
Obama wrote: ‘Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.’
Magic Johnson shared a moving tribute to the star which read: ‘As I try to write this post, my mind is racing. I’m in disbelief and have been crying all morning over this devastating news that Kobe and his young daughter, Gigi have passed away in a helicopter crash. Cookie and I are heartbroken.
‘I love him, his family and what he stood for on the court and off the court.
Absolutely terrible: Kobe Bryant was reportedly killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday morning
‘My friend, a legend, husband, father, son, brother, Oscar winner and greatest Laker of all-time is gone. It’s hard to accept. Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players.
‘He gave his knowledge, time, and talent to tutor so many at the youth level, collegiate level, & NBA & WNBA players. Words can’t express the impact that he had on the game of basketball. I know basketball fans all over the world will miss him, especially the City of Los Angeles.
‘Crying’: Magic Johnson shared a moving tribute to his friend Kobe Bryant on Sunday
‘He was such an icon but also did so much for LA. He was passionate about serving the homeless and was an advocate for women’s basketball. Coaching his daughter’s basketball team brought him so much happiness.
‘Kobe and I shared so many special conversations about life and basketball. We had so much in common off the court. I used to love talking to him about Lakers basketball, being fathers and husbands and how much we loved Italy. I will miss those conversations and him so much.
‘Laker Nation, the game of basketball & our city, will never be the same without Kobe. Cookie & I are praying for Vanessa, his beautiful daughters Natalia, Bianka & Capri, as well as his parents Joe & Pam & his sisters. We will always be here for the Bryant family.
‘There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed,’ Shaq tweeted. ‘My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW’
President Barack Obama shared his condolences online
‘We love you forever. #8 #24’
Khloe Kardashian wrote: ‘This can’t be real, there’s no way!!! My heart hurts.’
In another tweet, she shared: ‘Please don’t let this be True. I’m shaking.’
Tristan Thompson was quick to tweet that ‘I hope this isn’t true man!!’ upon hearing the news that the 41-year-old was one of five people killed in the crash.
Kanye West shared a photo from the studio and wrote: ‘Kobe, We love you brother We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave’
Khloe Kardashian wrote: ‘This can’t be real, there’s no way!!! My heart hurts.’
Tristan Thompson was quick to tweet that ‘I hope this isn’t true man!!’ upon hearing the news that the 41-year-old was one of five people killed in the crash
Kobe was widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
The Philadelphia-born phenom was a first-round pick in the 1996 draft, winning five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVPs and being named the league MVP in 2008.
Rob Kardashian wrote: ‘All I’m thinking about is his wife and daughters … they need their Dad … Rest in Peace Mamba.’
Demi Lovato shared a shot with the Lakers legend at the Staples Center: ‘This makes me so sad. Kobe you were always so sweet to me. Known you over 10 years.. not super well but we always joked about you coming over and playing that game of horse! You will he so missed by so many. You’re a legend with wings now. RIP Kobe.’
Bella Hadid posted a photo of Kobe reading the Los Angeles Times sports section while traveling with the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy, likely from the back-to-back titles in 2010.
‘I can’t believe this…Rest in Peace King…. thinking about Vanessa and their beautiful children during this time….,’ she wrote.
Rob Kardashian wrote: ‘All I’m thinking about is his wife and daughters … they need their Dad … Rest in Peace Mamba’
Demi Lovato shared a shot with the Lakers legend at the Staples Center: ‘This makes me so sad. Kobe you were always so sweet to me. Known you over 10 years.. not super well but we always joked about you coming over and playing that game of horse! You will he so missed by so many. You’re a legend with wings now. RIP Kobe’
Bella Hadid posted a photo of Kobe reading the Los Angeles Times sports section while traveling with the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy, likely from the back-to-back titles in 2010
Travis Barker, who lives nearby in the upscale Southern California neighborhood, simply tweeted: ‘RIP KOBE.’
Khalid wrote: ‘RIP Kobe. This is heartbreaking unbelievable’
Legend: Kobe spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers and was named an NBA All-Star 18 times
A$AP Rocky shared on social media: ‘RIP KOBE, SO SAD, SUCH A SAD DAY N SAD NEWS, WE LOVE U’
Travis Barker, who lives nearby in the upscale Southern California neighborhood, simply tweeted: ‘RIP KOBE.’
Kobe spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers and was named an NBA All-Star 18 times.
Khalid wrote: ‘RIP Kobe. This is heartbreaking unbelievable.’
A$AP Rocky shared on social media: ‘RIP KOBE, SO SAD, SUCH A SAD DAY N SAD NEWS, WE LOVE U.’
‘There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed,’ Shaq tweeted. ‘My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW.’
Chrissy Teigen was shocked and could not believe ‘this is real’ upon hearing the news that Bryant died.
Chrissy Teigen was shocked and could not believe ‘this is real’ upon hearing the news that Bryant died
‘Life can be so brutal and senseless sometimes. Hold on to your loved ones. We miss you, Kobe,’ John Legend wrote
‘I’m so sad and stunned right now. In Staples Arena, where Kobe created so many memories for all of us, preparing to pay tribute to another brilliant man we lost too soon, Nipsey Hussle,’ John Legend wrote. ‘Life can be so brutal and senseless sometimes. Hold on to your loved ones. We miss you, Kobe.’
Lance Bass shared a photo of the notable guard wearing his iconic purple and gold uniform with the caption: ‘No words.’
Just days ago on Jan.22, Kobe celebrated the 13-year anniversary of a remarkable game where he earned 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the second best single game point total in NBA history.
Wilt Chamberlain still holds the title of most points scored in a single game with 100 points.
Lance Bass shared a photo of the notable guard wearing his iconic purple and gold uniform with the caption: ‘No words’
Jimmy Kimmel reveled on how ‘deeply-involved’ Kobe was with his four daughters, Gianna, Natalia and Bianca and newborn Capri
