Basketball world mourns the death of Kobe Bryant

Updated at 6 p.m.

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died tragically Sunday in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, sources confirmed to NBC Sports and Yahoo Sports (see story).

Figures from around the basketball world shared their grief and memories on social media.

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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

The world lost a legend today. Kobe Bryant was someone who I looked up to, a fierce competitor, a Champion, an icon. His dominance and relentless spirit translated both on and off the court. Your fans across the world loved you with such passion and you never let them down. 1/3
— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) January 27, 2020

To lose both you and your daughter Gigi in this tragic accident has shaken me to my core. My thoughts and prayers are with the Bryant Family and his close Friends in this extremely hard time, I am truly sorry for your loss. 2/3
— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) January 27, 2020

You were and will continue to be an inspiration to this world and drive people to follow their dreams with passion and conviction #MambaForever 3/3 pic.twitter.com/PiSHw9Cv5P
— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) January 27, 2020

The world is sick right now. #24
— Josuélito (@J_Rich1) January 26, 2020

Wow!!! 🤬🤬🤬 no no no!!
— τobias Harris (@tobias31) January 26, 2020

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Sad man can’t believe itRIP @kobebryant life is not promised. Smh

A post shared by James Ennis (@biggame11) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:08pm PST

I just want to hug everybody I know. We all need time to process this. I am devastated in so many ways. #KobeBryant
— Marc Zumoff (@marczumoff) January 26, 2020

I have a folder of “Treasured Photos” and this is one of them. It is from Kobe’s last game in Philly and I had the good fortune to call it with my Dad and @marczumoff - it was my 1st NBA game as an analyst and this guy wished me well in the endeavor! #RIP pic.twitter.com/lGHGGtQU55
— Dei Lynam (@dlynamCSN) January 26, 2020

Amen @epaschall - the GOAT - so sad - Life is so Fragile ! https://t.co/NY5DBt6C7b
— Jay Wright (@CoachJayWright) January 26, 2020

This can’t be real 😭. We lost a legend The only time I got to go against you in my career. Thank you mamba pic.twitter.com/NY9BWiWhat
— Robert Covington (@Holla_At_Rob33) January 26, 2020

Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/9EZuwk8wrV
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) January 26, 2020

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Not you!! RIP mamba! thank you for everything you showed and did for the world!!

A post shared by Luka Doncic (@lukadoncic) on Jan 26, 2020 at 11:57am PST

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RIPthis day should never exist!! we gotta appreciate every day we get!

A post shared by Luka Doncic (@lukadoncic) on Jan 26, 2020 at 1:04pm PST

There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/P88GwIwmYV
— NBA (@NBA) January 26, 2020

The Sixers released a statement on the death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna: pic.twitter.com/lbUYGvVn54
— Noah Levick (@NoahLevick) January 26, 2020

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