Sports World Reacts to Kobe Bryant's Sudden Death

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash. Kobe's death sent a wave of shock throughout the sports world. Players and fans react.

Lakers legend Kobe Bryant died Sunday in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. He was 41.

Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna was also with him when the helicopter crashed, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told reporters that nine people were on board the aircraft—the pilot plus eight people.

The helicopter went down in the hills of Calabasas and a fire broke out. The crash occurred around 10 a.m. local time and the fire made it difficult for firefighters and emergency personnel to get to the aircraft, according to the city of Calabasas. Nobody on the ground was hurt. 

News of Bryant's death sent a wave of shock throughout those in the sports world:

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A post shared by Wardell Curry (@stephencurry30)

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

...This S*** can’t be real... this the first moment I was able to meet Gianna Maria, she’s been to only 3 games this year... 2 of them were mine... She told me I was her favorite player to watch🙏🏽 I can’t believe this😢😭

Rest Easy Gigi❤️ pic.twitter.com/IfDrE9Gjlv

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 26, 2020

Gran gesto de Neymar ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XhtLdMe8Ti

— FC Barcelona 🇪🇦 (@FCBarcelona_GO) 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

Nooooooooooo God please No!

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020

Please don’t tell me this is true . Not Kobe

— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) January 26, 2020

This is not real right now

— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 26, 2020

Please no. Please god no. It can’t be true.

— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) January 26, 2020

I’m stunned. Words can’t even come close to describing it. Just an incredibly sad and tragic day.

— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 26, 2020

Uhhhh. Noooo...life is too precious. RIP Kobe 🙏🏼

— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) January 26, 2020

Every team has to retire 24

— Tyler Herro (@raf_tyler) January 26, 2020

Somebody tell me it ain’t so!!!!!

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) January 26, 2020

We all mourn the death of @kobebryant. My heart goes out to his family. May he rest in peace. 🙏

— Tony Allen (@aa000G9) January 26, 2020

No fucking way... no way, no way........ No way......... No way......no way...... I love you Kobe...

— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 26, 2020

We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020

Hurting like the rest of the world right now but not as much as Kobe’s Family. Everybody keep them in your thoughts and prayers #RIPKobe

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 26, 2020

.@JoeBiden says he learned of Kobe Bryant’s death after getting off his campaign bus in Des Moines. “It makes you realize you’ve got to make everyday count,” he says.

— Ken Thomas (@KThomasDC) 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

Amare Stoudemire in shock, learning during his debut with Maccabi Tel Aviv about Kobe's death

(video by @BBS_4You)pic.twitter.com/YhAP0vOe1N

— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) January 26, 2020

Jeannine & I are absolutely shocked to hear of the loss of one of my favorite people & one of the best basketball minds in the history of the game! Our hearts & prayers to Vanessa & his girls. @kobebryant you were my biggest fan, but I was yours #RIPMAMBA @NBA @espn @SLAMonline pic.twitter.com/Ll0BD6VWgr

— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) January 26, 2020

Unreal 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/eDuqHhWnOt

— CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) January 26, 2020

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 this is so sad! RIP💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/5ykf0drVSG

— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) January 26, 2020

Celtics’ Brad Stevens on Lakers’ Kobe Bryant: “One of the guys who broke the hearts of the Celtics more than anyone who has played. In his last year, our guys were all sneaking around getting his shoes signed. I know a lot of our staff did too. It’s so sad.” pic.twitter.com/thoqvTclLP

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) January 26, 2020

At a loss for words, RIP to a legend. Can’t believe this. #Kobe

— Stewie (@breannastewart) January 26, 2020

R.I.P Legend 😔

Prayers up 🙏 💔 pic.twitter.com/oUAgvA1DXp

— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) January 26, 2020

Still can’t believe ⁦@kobebryant⁩ 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/swscrtnFAx

— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) January 26, 2020

Man not Kobe... Prayers to his family and friends! #RIPMamba

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 26, 2020

Statement from longtime sponsor @Nike on Kobe: pic.twitter.com/OjZbRFVpfd

— Jess Golden (@JGolden5) January 26, 2020

MSG has been lit up in Lakers colors.

(via @nolte) pic.twitter.com/n66RJQ04vC

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 26, 2020

Fans at the Pro Bowl broke out in "Kobe" chants when he was honored during a timeout. pic.twitter.com/VAQHYzQ28m

— ESPN (@espn) January 26, 2020

Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020

My friend, a legend, husband, father, son, brother, Oscar winner and greatest Laker of all-time is gone. It’s hard to accept. Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players. pic.twitter.com/NXsrXmCkkG

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020

NBA commissioner Adam Silver statement on sudden death of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/5sHiu1sHEo

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 26, 2020

Coach K’s statement on the passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. Krzyzewski coached Kobe on the 2008 USA “Redeem Team” that won Olympic gold: pic.twitter.com/SuvBPPHklx

— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) January 26, 2020

Statement from Jerry West on the passing of Kobe Bryant: pic.twitter.com/miNDpJUsXm

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) January 26, 2020

We are devastated by the tragic news that Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna have died in a helicopter accident.

Our thoughts are with the Bryant family and all those affected today. pic.twitter.com/MO5NuR1F5o

— MLB (@MLB) January 26, 2020

Statement from Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/oI7w6e7HLI

— Estee Portnoy (@esteep) January 26, 2020

Tiger Woods reflects on the tragic passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/t4F2Sqj57Z

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 26, 2020

Trae wearing Kobe's #8. pic.twitter.com/H4VM3PJDFG

— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) January 26, 2020

Kawhi Leonard holds back tears addressing the passing of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant - “Knowing him personally, I know he’d want me to come out here & ball & still just be great… Everybody’s sad. No words can explain the impact he had on the sport… It’s just sad.”#Clippers pic.twitter.com/Q1JLPMaYuT

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 27, 2020

.@Zionwilliamson speaks on the impact Kobe Bryant had on him growing up & the legacy he leaves behind pic.twitter.com/262dy3tsNg

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 27, 2020

Spencer Dinwiddie cries while talking about what Kobe Bryant meant to him pic.twitter.com/XRgpjD3bnA

— SNY (@SNYtv) January 27, 2020

“I’ve known Kobe since he was 15 years old and I was 16, playing AAU basketball.”

- @mrvincecarter15 talks about his relationship with Kobe Bryant over the years. pic.twitter.com/tWUD0xzNQ1

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 27, 2020

Kobe and Gianna may your souls and the souls of the others who were with you Rest In Peace. My condolences and prayers go out to Kobe’s wife Vanessa, his daughters and the Bryant Family. I Love You Kobe and will miss you dearly.

— Rick Fox (@RickFox) January 27, 2020

"I just don't feel like broadcasting. I know a lot of the players don't feel like playing. It's just a sad, sad day."

—Mike Breen speaking emotionally about the death of Kobe Bryant at the Nets-Knicks game pic.twitter.com/TsNMebIU3O

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 27, 2020

RIP to my friend Kobe Bryant. I’m truly devastated by the news of his passing and the passing of his young daughter Gianna. A true legend in the game of basketball and an inspiration to the world. My thoughts & prayers go out to his family during this heartbreaking time💔💔😢😢 pic.twitter.com/ZLSqnvu1mu

— Barry L Bonds (@BarryBonds) January 26, 2020

pic.twitter.com/i3AXCr3xTE

— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) January 27, 2020

Love basketball. Even bigger fan of excellence. @kobebryant embodied excellence. Legendary talent; inspirational athlete; great role model; American icon loved globally. Sports lost a tremendous friend but don’t have to be sports fan for your heart to hurt. Just have to be human!

— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) January 27, 2020

"My reaction is the same as almost all of LA... where everything was solid there’s a big hole in the wall." Longtime Lakers fan Jack Nicholson opens up about the loss of Kobe Bryant https://t.co/tkywL6dvpI pic.twitter.com/pZAOuEePKY

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 27, 2020

pic.twitter.com/rLKrYwjwIu

— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) January 27, 2020

"Probably the hardest game I ever had to play...I'm sure he would have wanted me to play" @carmeloanthony emotional talking about Kobe Bryant 🙏# Kobe #Melo @trailblazers pic.twitter.com/IaT7aRWPrx

— Orlando Sanchez (@orlandokgw) January 27, 2020

Statement from Allen Iverson on the passing of Kobe Bryant 😢 pic.twitter.com/JsdB3kWBT3

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 27, 2020

Charles Barkley sends his condolences to everyone affected by yesterday’s tragedy. pic.twitter.com/PhHjmgt8y5

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 27, 2020

The past day has been incredibly heartbreaking for me. Kobe is someone that I looked up to and admired and developed a personal relationship with. I have struggled so much with trying to understand the devastating news and like many others I’m still trying to process it.

— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020

Fans started gathering outside of the Staples Center upon news of the Lakers legend's death. The Spurs and Raptors also each took intentional shot clock violations at the start of their matchup to honor No. 24. 

The 18–time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA first Team led the Lakers to five NBA championships and scored 33,643 points in his 20-year NBA career. He retired from the Lakers after the 2015-16 season after spending his entire career with the franchise.

More Coverage of Kobe Bryant's Death:

• Kobe Bryant, Daughter Die in California Helicopter Crash
• For the Bryant Family, An Unimaginable Loss
• Kobe Bryant Left His Mark as a Generational Hero
• Sports World Reacts to Kobe Bryant's Sudden Death
• Remembering Kobe Bryant: Sports Illustrated Covers Through the Years
• Spurs-Raptors Open Game With Shot Clock Violations to Honor Kobe
  
• Shaq Reflects on Kobe's Passing: "There’s No Words to Express the Pain"