BREAKING: NBA Basketball Legend Kobe Bryant Among Nine Killed In California Helicopter Crash
CALABASAS, Calif. (CBS4) -- CBS News and CBS Los Angeles have confirmed that Kobe Bryant, the former NBA all-star guard who played all of his 20 years in the league with the Los Angeles Lakers, was killed Sunday morning in a helicopter crash northwest of the city.
Eight other people were also killed in the crash.
Bryant's wife, Vanessa, was reportedly not on board the flight.
It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Kobe Bryant and four others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas. The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes around 10:00 this morning. Nobody on the ground was hurt. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.
— City of Calabasas (@CityofCalabasas) January 26, 2020
LIVE COVERAGE: https://denver.cbslocal.com/live/cbsn/
Members of the sports world immediately acknowledged the loss on social media.
Nooooooooooo God please No!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020
This is not real right now
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) 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
Kobe Bryant is among those dead in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles, a source confirms to ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020
Devastated.
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) January 26, 2020
Can't be true.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 26, 2020
Just can't be.
Truly truly horrific.
Rest In Peace Kobe.
Locally, all those awaiting the start of Sunday afternoon's Nuggets-Rockets tip-off at the Pepsi Center were affected by word of Bryant's passing.
Surreal day. Every inch of the Pepsi Center has gone quiet. Every person flipping through their phone or shaking their head. Here's the moment Will Barton informed Jamal Murray about the news. pic.twitter.com/D46C6pH4yV
— Ryan Greene ???? (@RyanGreeneDNVR) January 26, 2020
WHAT??? IM SICK MAN THIS CANT BE HAPPENING
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) January 26, 2020
In 1996, Bryant, at 18 years, two months and 11 days of age, was the youngest player to enter the NBA in its history. He played in his first All-Star game at 19.
Among other accolades, Bryant was named NBA Finals MVP two years in a row, 2009 and 2010. His Lakers won the NBA title three years in a row, 2000-2002.
Bryant was known for his phenomenal athleticism, leadership, and pursuit of perfection in all facets of the game. Bryant scored 81 points in a game against Toronto on January 22, 2006. It remains the second highest points total in league history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game in 1962.
He scored 60 in the last contest of his career in 2016.
Most recently, Bryant won an Academy Award for best short animated film for "Dear Basketball" in 2018.
Bryant was 41.