13-y-o Gianna Bryant, Kobe's daughter, also perished in helicopter crash - reports
The two were among five persons who perished when Bryant’s helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas.
Several media reports are saying Kobe and Gianna were on their way to his Mamba Academy for a basketball practice when their helicopter crashed. The Academy is located in Thousand Oaks. Kobe coached his daughter’s AAU basketball game called “The Mambas.”
CNN reported Sunday that the Mamba players were waiting on Gianna to arrive for the game but they never did. On hearing news of the crash, the went to their knees in tears.
Gianna shared a love for the sport that made her father famous. He recently admitted in an interview that it was because of her why he began watching NBA games after he retired in 2016.
The death of the recently retired NBA has sent shockwaves through the global sporting community and with the confirmation that his basketball-loving daughter was with him makes the news even more devastating.
“There’s no words to express the pain I am going through now with this tragic and sad moment of losing my friend, my brother, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie,” said Shaquille O’Neal with whom Bryant won three consecutive championships between 2002 and 2004.
“I love you my brother and you will be missed. My condolences go out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board.”
Entertainer Jamie Fox posted Gianna and Kobe Rest in Power beneath a picture of Bryant and Gianna standing back to back with the former holding a basketball against her body.
Comedian Kevin Hart posted on his Instagram account beneath a picture of the NBA legend and his talented daughter: “I have no words…All I have is real tears…this is beyond heartbreaking.”