Kobe Bryant (L) and Michael Jordan
When the shocking news of the death of Bryant at age 41, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, near Los Angeles, broke at midday Pacific Time Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, his former teammates, fellow NBA greats and many in the music community shared their grief. The star’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also one of the fatalities.
Bryant played 20 seasons in the NBA, all with the Los Angeles Lakers. His teams won five NBA championships. He was an 18-time All-Star and became the youngest player in league history to pass 30,000 career points, which he accomplished at age 34 and 104 days.
Bryant’s death came one day after another NBA legend, LeBron James, passed him on the all-time NBA career scoring list, into third place. Bryant’s final tweet praised LBJ.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
Among Bryant’s other career highlights are two Gold medals with the U.S. Men’s Olympic basketball team, as well as an Academy Award in 2018 for Best Animated Short Film (for Dear Basketball). (Watch his acceptance speech below.)
On Jan. 29, Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, shared an image of Kobe and Gianna
Two smiles one heart pic.twitter.com/F8r6wA5ccI
— Vanessa Bryant 🦋 (@vanessabryantof) January 29, 2020
Michael Jordan issued a statement: “I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe’s and Gianna’s passing. I loved Kobe–he was like a little brother to me… Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply–and took great pride in his daughter’s love for the game of basketball. Yvette joins me in sending my deepest condolences to Vanessa, the Lakers organization and basketball fans around the world.”
Bryant wore two different numbers during his celebrated Lakers career, #8 and #24.
Lights for a legend.
Los Angeles City Hall lit in purple and gold starting at 8:24 p.m. this evening in honor of Kobe Bryant’s storied championship career and in memory of Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and all who perished in today’s tragedy. pic.twitter.com/1una7Aj98Z
— Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) January 27, 2020
Some of the most fun times I’ve had with my family has been going to Lakers games, so it is so shocking and so sad to hear about Kobe Bryant. Love and mercy to Kobe’s beautiful family.
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) January 26, 2020
When the San Antonio Spurs faced off against the Toronto Raptors on the day Bryant died, this happened…
The Spurs and Raptors both took 24-second violations to start their game to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/FtT9N0uvDW
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2020
On Jan. 27, at around 3:45 p.m. PT, the Lakers formally acknowledged Bryant’s passing, in a tweet that also announced that their next game, originally scheduled for Jan. 28, had been postponed.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 27, 2020
Shocked by the death of @KobeBryant, an exemplary athlete both on and off the basketball court. Our most heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/wGhF4xouVL
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) 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
Legendary actor and longtime Lakers fan Jack Nicholson, for decades a courtside fixture at the team’s home games, told CBS Los Angeles, “I sat right behind his jump shot on the left-hand side. I can see him going up and I can tell the first instant if it’s going in. We’ll think of him all the time and we’ll miss him. He was just one of those touched people.”
My💔Goes Out To Kobe’s Family,Friends,Fans. It’s SO HARD To Deal With The Death Of a GREAT STAR,Because We Feel As If We Knew Them Personally.Kobe Bryant Was a GREAT ATHLETE,& All Of America Will Feel His Loss.
The 🌎 Has Lost a Bright Light ✨🌟✨.— Cher (@cher) January 26, 2020
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
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
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
Tiger Woods said, “I grew up a die-hard Laker fan, it’s part of me, it’s all I remember. This is one of the most shocking, tragic days that I can ever remember.”
Legend.
Rest In Peace, Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/AbAbNzUEwR
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) January 26, 2020
Kobe Bryant’s jerseys are illuminated in the rafters of the Staples Center during the Grammys. pic.twitter.com/Db2Y6u8BT1
— ESPN (@espn) January 27, 2020
We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. Our thoughts go out to all the families involved in the tragedy and everyone in the Lakers, Los Angeles and NBA communities. pic.twitter.com/NDcCDP0GtM
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 26, 2020
Julius Erving (aka “Dr. J”) played with Bryant’s father.
Sadly absorbing the tragic news about my teammates loss of his Son and granddaughter. Joe and Pam I humbly offer my condolences. Vanessa so sorry for your loss and pray you remain strong and focused on you and Kobe’s dreams for your family. Here Always for you…
— Julius Dr J Erving (@JuliusErving) January 26, 2020
So sad to hear about Kobe Bryant, his daughter and their friends. He was a great player and a very impressive human being. Sending many blessings and much love to all his family at this most difficult time. Love Paul pic.twitter.com/vkksHRbeQt
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) January 27, 2020
Fellow NBA legend and longtime basketball broadcaster Charles Barkley said, “I want to express my deepest condolences to the families and friends of all nine people killed in this tragedy. I really want to emphasize that in remembrance of the other seven people involved. For me, this is like losing a family member, to lose Kobe and his daughter, Gianna. Basketball is a close knit fraternity and I’m just sad. Really sad. My thoughts and prayers are with Vanessa and their girls, the Lakers family and every basketball fan around the world.”
Sportcasting legend Bob Costas told CNN: “He always came back (each season) having added something to his repertoire.”
A tearful fellow Lakers legend, Jerry West–also one of the greatest to play the game–said, “You see someone leave before [their] time. You shake your head and you wonder why.”
Spike Lee directed a 2009 film, Kobe Doin’ Work, about a single day in the star’s career. He posted several images of his friend, including this one.
Fans altered a sign at the Bryant Park subway stop in NYC to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant #RIPKobeBryant pic.twitter.com/MeOd7PYs1h
— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) January 28, 2020
Bryant was selected posthumously on April 4 for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020. Due to the pandemic, the annual enshrinement festivities were re-scheduled to May 13-15, 2021, at the Hall of Fame and Museum in Springfield, Mass.
Bryant will be part of a nine-member class that also features NBA legends, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.
“Magic” Johnson paid tribute one year after Bryant’s death.
Kobe will always be my @Lakers brother for life. 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/7WC9x6h4Dl
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2021
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