UPDATE: Bryant’s daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant was also onboard the helicopter when it crashed.
The NBA has suffered a devastating loss this morning as, according to TMZ, Lakers’ legend Kobe Bryant has died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas in Southern California on Sunday. All five people, including Bryant, did not survive. He was just 41 years old and survived by his wife Vanessa and three daughters, Bianca, Capri, and Natalia.
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 retired following the 2015-16 season after 20 years in the NBA. All with the Lakers. He was a two-time NBA scoring champion, was named to 12 All-Defensive teams, 15 All-NBA teams, and he was the 2007-08 league MVP.
He famously dropped 60 points in his final NBA game against the Utah Jazz. His 81 points in a game is second most behind Wilt Chamberlin’s 100 in NBA history. Bryant also won two Gold Medals with Team USA.
Of course, what got both his number 24 and number 8 retired by the Lakers was helping Los Angeles win five NBA titles in a 12-year span. The last title came in 2010 with a seven-game series win over their rival, the Boston Celtics.
Bryant finished his career third in most points in NBA history. He currently sits fourth all-time as LeBron James has since passed that total.
– Ian Glendon is the Editor-In-Chief of Full Press Coverage and the Managing Editor of FPC NHL. He covers the National Hockey League. Like and follow on Follow @iglen31 Follow @FPC_NHL and Facebook.
