At the age of 41 he was awaiting certain induction into the Hall of Fame after a brilliant career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He had already won an Oscar in his post-basketball work as a film producer, written one book and started another, and was a mentor to a number of NBA players.
Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020.
The other victims included two of Gianna’s 13-year-old basketball teammates, Payton Chester and Alyssa Altobelli. Chester’s mother, Sarah, also was killed along with Altobelli’s parents, longtime college baseball coach John Altobelli and his wife, Keri.
Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Elton Brand described what Kobe Bryant meant to the game of basketball.
“Kobe meant a lot to us all. Wasn’t just what he accomplished, but how he accomplished it. His hard work, his tenacity, his passion, get the most out of his talent, his Philadelphia roots, we lost someone that was special to us, special to this area, special to the league. We’ll try to commemorate him tomorrow hopefully show how much this area loved him and continue to do so. Tough time for the area, tough time for the organization. He will certainly be missed…It’s a tough time for us. And I’m sure the Laker organization, I can’t fathom what they’re going through today also.”
Michael Jordan on the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna pic.twitter.com/z0Ja0hf9QX
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 26, 2020
Heartbroken. The NBA family and the basketball world have lost a big giant, a father, husband and a legend of the game, Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna died today. RIP my brother! @nba @nbacares pic.twitter.com/bWgQvdLG2Q
— Dikembe Mutombo (@officialmutombo) January 26, 2020
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.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
It’s much bigger than basketball but what he has done to push the game forward for young girls and women in such a short time is amazing and inspiring. His legacy must continue! https://t.co/rgT6FeVHxX
— Derek Fisher (@derekfisher) January 27, 2020
In our 1998 feature "Teenager of the Year," a 19-year-old Kobe Bryant faced his second NBA season and the hype of being the next Michael Jordan https://t.co/fBbEmLo7bY
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 26, 2020
