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Kobe Bryant was hailed as an \u201cextraordinary\u201d athlete, devoted father and an inspiration to millions around the world after the basketball great died in a helicopter crash at the age of 41.<\/p>\nKobe Bryant was hailed as an \u201cextraordinary\u201d athlete, devoted father and an inspiration to millions around the world after the basketball great died in a helicopter crash at the age of 41.<\/p>\n
The five-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist died alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna in the incident in California on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva said nine people, including the pilot, had died in the crash but was awaiting the coroner\u2019s report before confirming any identities as it would be \u201cinappropriate\u201d to do so.<\/p>\n
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the organisation was \u201cdevastated\u201d by the news.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary: five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability. He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna.\u201d<\/p>\n
Born in Philadelphia in 1978, Bryant, who was married to wife Vanessa and had three other daughters, Natalia, Bianca and Capri, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to appear in the NBA and spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Gianna was a promising player herself, who Bryant had previously said would carry on his legacy.<\/p>\n
He was drafted in 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets at number 13, but was quickly traded to the Lakers where he would go on to become an 18-time NBA All-Star.<\/p>\n
Alongside Shaquille O\u2019Neal, Bryant helped the Lakers win three NBA championships in a row between 2000 and 2002. It is a feat that has not been matched since, with the Golden State Warriors losing in last year\u2019s finals having won two in a row.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Neal tweeted: \u201cThere\u2019s 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\u201d.<\/p>\n
Bryant, who was named the NBA\u2019s Most Valuable Player in 2008, would add two more NBA titles \u2013 in 2009 and 2010 \u2013 and on both occasions was named Finals MVP.<\/p>\n
The Lakers retired both of Bryant\u2019s shirt numbers \u2013 eight and 24 \u2013 in a ceremony in December 2017, when then franchise president Magic Johnson said: \u201cWe\u2019re here to celebrate the greatest who has ever worn the purple and gold.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson tweeted on Sunday: \u201cI\u2019m in disbelief and have been crying all morning over this devastating news that Kobe and his young daughter, Gigi have passed away in a helicopter crash. Cookie and I are heartbroken. I love him, his family and what he stood for on the court and off the court.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael Jordan, arguably the most famous basketball player of all time, described Bryant as like his \u201clittle brother\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said to Sports Illustrated: \u201cI am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe\u2019s and Gianna\u2019s passing. Words can\u2019t describe the pain I\u2019m feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved Kobe \u2013 he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force. Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply \u2013 and took great pride in his daughter\u2019s love for the game of basketball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lakers byword Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said on Twitter: \u201cMost people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bryant stood third in the all-time NBA points list until Saturday night, when current Laker LeBron James pushed him down to fourth place. Bryant scored 33,643 points in his NBA career.<\/p>\n