As reports broke of the death of retired Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant, tributes began pouring in on social media.
Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, were among nine people killed in a fiery helicopter crash Sunday morning outside of Los Angeles, officials confirmed.
Initial reports from the sheriff's department indicated five people were on the aircraft. The sheriff's department said later than nine people were aboard, citing the helicopter's manifest. A National Transportation Safety Board representative said the helicopter has several seating configurations.
Bryant retired in 2016 as the third-leading scorer in NBA history, finishing two decades with the Lakers as a prolific scorer with a sublime all-around game and a relentless competitive ethic. He held that spot in the league scoring ranks until Saturday night, when the Lakers’ LeBron James passed him for third place during a game in Philadelphia, Bryant’s hometown
James on Monday said he was "heartbroken and devastated" in a post on social media. James joined the Los Angeles Lakers, the team with which Bryant became an NBA legend, in 2018.
Bryant welcomed James to the Lakers family with open arms.
Other celebrities, politicians and professional athletes expressed their condolences and shock over his death on Twitter.
