Boston athletes react to shocking news of Kobe Bryant’s death

The NBA world received devastating news on Sunday as it was confirmed by NBC News that Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash Sunday in Calabasas, Calif.

The news came as a shock to all those who saw the Los Angeles Lakers legend's name mentioned as one of the five deaths in the crash.

A number of sports figures, including several Boston athletes, took to Twitter to share their reactions and disbelief.

Someone please tell me this Kobe news ain’t real
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) January 26, 2020

This is not real right now
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 26, 2020

https://twitter.com/rob_williamsIII/status/1221520116845858819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Nooooooo cmon someone say it ain’t true... I’m sick to my stomach right now
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) January 26, 2020

Lord tell me it’s not true plz plz plz tell me it’s fake.
— Grant Williams (@Grant2Will) January 26, 2020

Please God no...
— marcus smart (@smart_MS3) January 26, 2020

R.I.P Legend 😔

Prayers up 🙏 💔 pic.twitter.com/oUAgvA1DXp
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) January 26, 2020

RIP Kobe Bryant 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/ktPu0YjDPr
— Daniel Theis (@dtheis10) January 26, 2020

Today is a sad day. RIP Kobe.🙏🏿🙏🏿
— Duron Harmon (@dharm32) January 26, 2020

We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020

🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
— Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) January 26, 2020

RIP to the legend. Terrible terrible news. Thoughts are with the family. #MambaForever pic.twitter.com/dd1FMyKqQ7
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) January 26, 2020

When you are identified by all by your first name, you are rare in terms of fame. Kobe certainly was in this very select group.
RIP Kobe! You are gone, but will never be forgotten. Prayers to your family and friends.
— Charlie Weis (@charlieweissr) January 26, 2020

Damn. RIP Mamba. May your memory be a blessing
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 26, 2020

No way...
— Elhadji T Fall (@tackofall99) January 26, 2020

Complete Sadness.....
— Doc Rivers (@DocRivers) January 26, 2020

I’m heart broken. Totally heart broken.

Everyone in #Boston is draped in purple & gold today for #Kobe.

Prayers To the Bryant family, the #Lakers family and the entire #NBA community.

God bless. #RIPMAMBA #RIPKobeBryant #RIPKobe pic.twitter.com/raC0UcuIu0
— Cedric Maxwell (@cedricmaxwell81) January 26, 2020

Janet and I have no words to describe our shock and sadness on the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant today. Praying for him and his family. 🙏
— Wayne Gretzky (@WayneGretzky) January 26, 2020

Man I don’t even know where to start😭😭 I started playing ball because of KOBE after watching the 2010 finals. I had never watched ball before that and that finals was the turning point of my life. I WANTED TO BE LIKE KOBE. I’m so FREAKING SAD right now!!!!

RIP LEGEND
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 26, 2020

No way ?!?! 😱
— Vincent Poirier (@viinze_17P) January 26, 2020

Speechless.
— Jon Lester (@JLester34) January 26, 2020

View this post on Instagram

Legend gone too soon...One of the most inspirational players of my lifetime and a person who’s dedication and drive can be translated to any part of life. Mamba mentality will live on forever and we’ll never forget all that you’ve done for the world and the game of basketball. Prayers for his family, wife, and his daughters #RIPMAMBA

A post shared by Grant Williams ✊ (@grantwill2) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:02pm PST

View this post on Instagram

You changed our generation. RIP brother

A post shared by Brian Scalabrine (@whitemamba) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:13pm PST

Boston Celtics

Find the latest Boston Celtics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.

Chris Forsberg May 21

Four reasons to embrace the Celtics' upcoming season of uncertainty

Boston Celtics 16 hours ago

Was Derrick White snubbed from NBA's All-Defense teams?

View this post on Instagram

Heart broken. My Hero. My Idol. The reason I started to play this game, the reason I fell in love with this game. Growing up wanting to be just like you, to you becoming a mentor, beyond thankful for everything you’ve done for me. “I didn’t have a plan B I put all my eggs in one basket and I knew I was going to make it happen” hearing you say that stuck with me everyday of my life. You inspired me and I am forever grateful more than you know! Love you Bean❤️! Sad, sad, sadday RIP Kobe and Gianna! Praying for the family!

A post shared by Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) on Jan 26, 2020 at 1:31pm PST

View this post on Instagram

As I'm trying to gather my thoughts my heart is hurting. I just got off a long flight to find out that Kobe is no longer with us! This hurts so much! He was one of my brothers. I am so sad for all of us, we lost a great one today!Kobe was the ultimate competitor and I loved him for it. He made all of us step our games up. I just wish I could have one more moment with him to tell him thank you! Thank you Kobe for the example you set! Thank you for always bringing your best, regardless of who was on the other side. Thank you for showing us all what greatness looked like! You will be missed! #8 #24 #Gigi #RIP

A post shared by Ray Allen (@trayfour) on Jan 26, 2020 at 6:08pm PST

View this post on Instagram

This doesn’t even make sense!!!! You meant the WORLD to me killa. Friend, mentor, role model the list goes on. This shit put a dent in everybody that you touched. You wasn’t suppose to leave us. You was invincible bro. #RIP @kobebryant #RIP GiGi

A post shared by Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) on Jan 26, 2020 at 6:54pm PST