Legendary NBA player Kobe Bryant died suddenly in a fatal helicopter crash on Sunday in Calabasas, California. He was 41.
ESPN reports that Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also aboard the aircraft. MSNBC has confirmed that one of Gianna’s teammates, the child’s parent, and the pilot all died in the crash. The Associated Press added that a total of nine people perished in the crash that had no survivors.
Throughout his storied career, which spanned 20 years playing professional basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant won five NBA championships.
His records are countless on the court, but since retiring in 2016, Bryant also made a name for himself. Along with penning a children’s book, he was the first professional athlete to win an Oscar for his film, Dear Basketball. It took home the trophy for Best Animated Short.
Bryant leaves behind his wife Vanessa and three daughters.
01
Los Angeles Lakers v San Antonio Spurs
SAN ANTONIO,TX - FEBRUARY 6: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers watches tribute at AT&T Center on February 6, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant hauls in a rebound against the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter, in Los Angeles, CA, 25 December 2002. The team is wearing new white uniforms for the first time as a variation on the home yellow and road purple uniforms. AFP PHOTO/Lucy Nicholson (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)
03
Utah Jazz v Los Angeles Lakers
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks back in the first half while taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
04
New Orleans Hornets v Los Angeles Lakers - Game Five
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball with his left hand in the lane in the third quarter against the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
05
Olympics Day 14 - Basketball
BEIJING - AUGUST 22: (L-R) LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade of the United States compete against Argentina during a men's semifinal baketball game at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium on Day 14 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 22, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
06
Los Angeles Lakers v Houston Rockets
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 10: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to the crowd as he leaves the court at Toyota Center on April 10, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
07
Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: Kobe Bryant walk out to center court during his jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
08
NBA Finals Game 7: Boston Celtics v Los Angeles Lakers
LOS ANGELES - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after winning over the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals on June 17, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
09
Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: Kobe Bryant poses with his family at halftime after both his #8 and #24 Los Angeles Lakers jerseys are retired at Staples Center on December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)
10
NBA Champions LA Lakers Visit President Obama At White House
WASHINGTON - JANUARY 25: President Barack Obama (R) poses for photographs with Kobe Bryant (L) and members of the National Basketball Association 2009 champions Los Angeles Lakers in the East Room of the White House January 25, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Lakers bested the Orlando Magic to win the NBA Finals in 2009. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
11
Kobe Bryant At The 90th Annual Academy Awards
HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Kobe Bryant attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards - Press Room on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
12
Kobe Bryant With His Wife Vanessa
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Vanessa Laine Bryant and Kobe Bryant attend the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant attend the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on December 29, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
IRVINE, CA - JULY 26: Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant watch during day 2 of the Phillips 66 National Swimming Championships at the Woollett Aquatics Center on July 26, 2018 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
TOPICS: Celebrity Kobe Bryant
