Kobe Bryant reportedly died after helicopter crash in Calabasas, LA, California Sunday morning, NBA legend killed along with 9 others including his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant.
According to TMZ, Kobe was traveling with at least 3 other people in his private helicopter when it went down. A fire broke out. Emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived. 5 people are confirmed dead. We’re told Vanessa Bryant was not among those on board.
Eyewitnesses also tell the outlet that they heard the helicopter’s engine sputtering before it went down. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
NBA legend his wife Vanessa Bryant had four daughters, Gianna, Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri.
Kobe Bryant is widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time — making 18 All-Star teams during his 20-year career with the Lakers. He was a first-round pick in the 1996 draft, winning 5 NBA championships, 2 NBA Finals MVPs and he was the league MVP in ’08.
The Lakers famously retired both of Kobe’s jerseys, number 8 and 24 … the only player in team history to receive that honor.
Kobe’s accomplishments stand far outside of the basketball world. He won an Oscar for his short film, “Dear Basketball,” in 2018.
