All America grieves: the famous basketball player and his daughter died in a plane crash

Former Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles. His 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people on board died along with him, writes Air force.

Bryant and his daughter Gianna (Gigi) died together. Photo: instagram.com/kobebryant

A helicopter crashed in the hills near the city of Calabasas, the cause of the crash is still unknown. Rescuers arrived at the crash site almost immediately, but found that there were no survivors.

It is still unknown exactly where the helicopter flew from and where it was heading.

Bryant often used a private Sikorsky S-76 helicopter, sometimes flying it from Newport Beach to the Staples Center for Lakers games.

Eyewitnesses report that a few minutes before the crash, they heard the engine stall out of a flying helicopter.

The local county sheriff's office tweeted photos of the scene.

According to the Los Angeles sheriff, nine people were on board the helicopter, all of them died.

Who was Kobe Bryant

Bryant was considered one of the best players in basketball history.

The 41-year-old basketball player played his entire career for the Lakers. He retired from professional sports in April 2016. Over 20 seasons, Bryant won five championships and won two Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. National Team. He also became the only NBA player to win four All-Star Game MVP awards.

Bryant also won an Oscar for best animated short film for “Dear Basketball,” based on a poem he wrote in 2015 about basketball.

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Bryant and his wife Vanessa have three more daughters, Natalia, Bianca and Capri.

Two months earlier, Kobe and Vanessa celebrated the 20th anniversary of their marriage.

“On this day, 20 years ago, I met my best friend, my queen. “I love you, my mamacita per sempre,” Bryant said at the time.

Photo: instagram.com/kobebryant

Bryant was charged with sexual violence in 2003 against a 19-year-old woman who worked at a resort in Colorado. He denied the allegations, stating that they had consensual sex. The case was dismissed after the woman who accused Bryant refused to testify in court.

The basketball player later apologized, and the subsequent civil lawsuit was settled out of court.

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How the world reacted to Bryant’s death

The basketball world is in mourning. “No, please no. This can’t happen,” basketball player Kevin Love wrote on Twitter.

“Terrible news,” wrote US President Donald Trump.

Photo: twitter.com/realDonaldTrump

Former US President Barack Obama called Bryant a "legend on the court" and eight-time Olympian Usain Bolt said he couldn't believe the news.

Photo: twitter.com/BarackObama

Many celebrities have expressed their grief in the accounts of social networks.

Fans arrive at a makeshift memorial for Bryant in front of Los Angeles' Staples Center, home of the Lakers, where they leave flowers and basketballs in memory of the star.

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi wrote on Instagram: “I have no words... All my love goes to Kobe’s family and friends. I am proud of our acquaintance and the time we spent together. You were a genius like few."

American rapper Kanye West tweeted: “Kobe, we love you brother.”

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