8 … 24

The world is mourning a tragic loss. Early Sunday morning (January 26), NBA legend Kobe Bryant died as a passenger on a fatal helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. He was 41.

Authorities report there were no survivors among the 9 individuals on board Kobe’s private helicopter including his 13 year-old daughter, Gianna. Others passengers included Orange Coast College baseball coach, John Altobelli, Altobelli’s wife, Keri, daughter, Alyssa, Sarah Chester and daughter Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, and pilot Ara Zobayan.

Officials report the helicopter left John Wayne Airport and was in route to Mamba Academy near Thousand Oaks for a basketball tournament. The helicopter experienced heavy fog in the area before it crashed from 1,700 feet into a mountain at 9:45 am PST.

Kobe Bryant is known as one of the greatest NBA basketball players of all time. Kobe entered the league at 18 years-old in 1996 and played all of his 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. As the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, he lead the team to five championships including a three-peat from 2000-2002. Along with Olympic gold medals with the U.S. team, two Finals MVPs in 2008 and 2010, Black Mamba also won the league’s most valuable player in the 2008 season. He was also an 18x All-Star and a 2x scoring champion. He retired in 2016.

Outside the league, Kobe dabbled in various business ventures including music, philanthropy, soccer, endorsements, books, and more.

Kobe and his daughter Gianna leave behind wife and mother, Vanessa, as well daughters and siblings Natalia, Bianca and newborn, Capri. Rest in peace to all.