Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, have died in a helicopter crash.
The NBA legend, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter were among nine people killed in the tragic incident, which occurred on Sunday morning.
The pair were on their way to the Mamba Academy in California for a basketball practice when the private aircraft went down in Calabasas, near Los Angeles.
Officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to reports of the crash in Calabasas at around 10am.
Eyewitnesses told TMZ, who first broke the news of Bryant’s death, that they heard the helicopter’s engine spluttering before it went down.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash.
Initial reports claimed five people were on board but LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced in a press conference on Sunday afternoon that there were nine victims.
He is awaiting the coroner’s report before confirming the identities of all nine people killed as it would be “inappropriate” to do so.
Bryant is married to Vanessa and Gianna was one of four daughters.
A heartbreaking video of Kobe and Gianna attending an NBA game in December resurfaced soon after the crash.
Bryant is a sporting superstar and one of the most successful players in the history of the NBA.
A point guard, he played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, having been drafted straight from high school, and won five NBA Championships.
He is an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team and a 12-time member of the All-Defensive team.
He is also a two-time Olympic gold medal winner with the USA and won an Oscar for best short animated film in 2018 for Dear Basketball, a five-minute film based on a love letter to the sport so synonymous with his name.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement: “The NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna.
“For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning.
“He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary: five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals.
“But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability. He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Vanessa, and their family, the Lakers organisation and the entire sports world.”
Bryant wore the No 8 jersey in his first decade with the Lakers and the No 24 in his next ten years with the organisation. Both jerseys were retired when he called it quits in 2016.
Sporting stars from around the world were quick to pay tribute to Bryant on their Twitter accounts, including former teammate Shaquille O’Neal.
Former England striker Gary Lineker wrote: “Oh no. How awful. One of the greatest sportsmen of our lifetime. Utterly tragic”, while current England forward Raheem Sterling wrote: “Rest easy Legend”.
Six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady said: “We miss you already Kobe”, while retired NBA star Dwyane Wade wrote: “Nooooooooooo God please No!”.
Legendary sprinter Usain Bolt tweeted: “Still can’t believe ?@kobebryant.”
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, also reacted to the news on social media.
