Tributes are flowing in for NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who tragically died in a helicopter crash this morning.
Bryant, 41, was one of five who were killed when the helicopter went down in Calabasas.
His daughter Gianna was also among those who died.
A five-time NBA Champion, two-time finals MVP, one-time league MVP, 18-time All-Star and soon-to-be Hall of Famer, Kobe sits fourth all-time for scoring, having been passed by LeBron James only yesterday.
The NBA world and wider sporting community has been left speechless.
There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
"He inspired a whole generation."
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 26, 2020
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar reflects on the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant. (via @kaj33)pic.twitter.com/0ECuIbrr99
Nooooooooooo God please No!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020
I’m stunned. Words can’t even come close to describing it. Just an incredibly sad and tragic day.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 26, 2020
Beyond devastated... my big brother... I can’t, I just can’t believe it
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) 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
I’m heartbroken by this news, you were a true legend, and friend. Rest In Peace @kobebryant, my thoughts and prayers to his wife and kids. #legend #mamba #goat pic.twitter.com/1VKYdbrVEk
— Tony Parker (@tonyparker) January 26, 2020
“He had that DNA that very few athletes can ever have.”
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2020
Doc Rivers on Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/kSS7sjKaI1
Man I don’t even know where to start😭😭 I started playing ball because of KOBE after watching the 2010 finals. I had never watched ball before that and that finals was the turning point of my life. I WANTED TO BE LIKE KOBE. I’m so FREAKING SAD right now!!!!
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 26, 2020
RIP LEGEND
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) January 26, 2020
We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020
Still can’t believe @kobebryant 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/swscrtnFAx
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) January 26, 2020
Can’t believe it... Twitter is the wrong forum for days like this but man...
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 26, 2020
...This S*** can’t be real... this the first moment I was able to meet Gianna Maria, she’s been to only 3 games this year... 2 of them were mine... She told me I was her favorite player to watch🙏🏽 I can’t believe this😢😭
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 26, 2020
Rest Easy Gigi❤️ pic.twitter.com/IfDrE9Gjlv
you wit me tonight my guy 🥺
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) January 26, 2020
24 🐍 x 12 😴 @kobebryant pic.twitter.com/LIQf827bjI
Peace and power to the Bryant family, and basketball lovers around the world. R.I.P @kobebryant 😢 #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/yn3Bgo0VAu
— Goran Dragić (@Goran_Dragic) January 26, 2020
R.I.P Legend 😔
— Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) January 26, 2020
Prayers up 🙏 💔 pic.twitter.com/oUAgvA1DXp
THE DAY I EARNED YOUR RESPECT WAS A DAY ILL NEVER FORGET.! REST PEACEFULLY GOAT.! 😔😔🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/cKnTCNo23s
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) January 26, 2020
That moment on draft night feels as if it happened hours ago. It’s simply a blink. What actually happened hours ago is so incredibly heartbreaking and surreal. Praying God’s hand of comfort over the Bryant family. https://t.co/fNlmHuTBHt
— Ernie Johnson (@TurnerSportsEJ) January 26, 2020
dropped phone out of my hand when picked it up and saw this. just cannot believe it. how insanely sad. 😢 https://t.co/mVIGCGYpQm
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) January 26, 2020
I’m heartbroken. Kobe Bryant had so much more to share with the world. It was amazing seeing him transition into his post-playing career. We were only seeing the start with films, TV, his book, and simply being a father to his four daughters. Awful he’s been robbed of more life. pic.twitter.com/3wJa8OMLH5
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) January 26, 2020
Legend.
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) January 26, 2020
Rest In Peace, Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/AbAbNzUEwR
A moment of silence for Kobe at the Rockets-Nuggets game
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) January 26, 2020
(via @TheBallRealm)pic.twitter.com/N2Uq8VM6ZP
The Rockets and Nuggets held a moment of silence for Kobe Bryant prior to today's game pic.twitter.com/A7nLIUR2Oz
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 26, 2020
No one pushed me more. No one. I’m appreciative of our battles, Kobe, I am sad I will never get the chance to tell you that in person. RIP.
— Shane Battier (@ShaneBattier) January 26, 2020
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 26, 2020
Remarkable moment to start the Raptors-Spurs game. pic.twitter.com/thmt9ZU1Ra
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 26, 2020
Fans have gathered outside Staples Center to remember Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/u5FhPkCz0q
— ESPN (@espn) January 26, 2020
A moment of silence held here at the Pro Bowl to honor Kobe Bryant, followed by chants of “Kobe” pic.twitter.com/AWy62mirtO
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) January 26, 2020
Man not Kobe... Prayers to his family and friends! #RIPMamba
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 26, 2020
Devastated. #24 #8. ❤️🙏
— Andrew Gaze (@AndrewGaze10) January 26, 2020