Basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant, and three others were announced dead in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California Sunday afternoon. Bryant was 41, and Gianna was 13. Bryant was on his way to his daughter’s basketball game, along with another player on Gianna’s team and their parent. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that there were no survivors from the crash, which killed five. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has confirmed the news of Bryant’s death.
Kobe Bryant is among those dead in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles, a source confirms to ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020
Bryant was passed by LeBron James on the all-time scoring list Saturday night when the Lakers fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 108-91. Kobe’s 33, 643 points are the most in Lakers history, and fourth in NBA history. Bryant also ranks first in 3-point field goals made, steals, and games in Lakers franchise history, and second in assists. Kobe took the time to congratulate LeBron James on Twitter Saturday night for passing Bryant on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother ???????? #33644
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
Kobe Bryant’s career accolades include being a five-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, the 2008 NBA MVP and an 18-time All Star. Bryant was selected No. 13 overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Both his No. 8 and 24 are retired by the franchise. Kobe retired from basketball in 2016 after 20 seasons in the league, all with the Lakers.