Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players of all time and a future Hall of Fame inductee, has died in a helicopter crash. In a bit of news first reported by TMZ, Bryant was one of five people who were killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning in Calabasas. He was 41 years old.
While TMZ was the first to report the crash involved Bryant, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department did announce that a helicopter crash occurred in the area earlier in the day, although they had not released the names of any victims.
Five people confirmed deceased, no survivors in #Calabasas helicopter crash. #LASD #Malibu deputies remain with #LA County Fire personnel. Investigation ongoing.
Avoid the area until further notice.
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) January 26, 2020
Eventually, the terrible news was confirmed by Variety.
Officials confirm to Variety that Bryant was a passenger on board a helicopter that crashed in the Los Angeles County suburb of Calabasas.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed the worst shortly thereafter.
Kobe Bryant is among those dead in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles, a source confirms to ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020
The news comes one day after Bryant was passed by LeBron James for third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, in which he tweeted congratulations and support to James.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother ???????? #33644
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
Over the course of his 20-year career in the Association, all of which was spent as a member of the Lakers, Bryant averaged 25 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Bryant’s list of accolades is one of the longest in league history, as he was a five-time NBA champion, an 18-time All-Star, and was named league MVP in 2008.
TMZ reported that Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, and his four daughters, Gianna, Natalia, Bianca, and Capri, were not on board the aircraft.
