The sports world is mourning the loss of the great NBA legend Kobe Bryant who passed away with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna (Gigi) in a tragic helicopter accident on Sunday morning January 26, 2020.
Bryant, 41, was one of 9 passengers on a helicopter traveling to his Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park for a basketball game where his daughter was scheduled to play.
The helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California, at about 9:47 a.m. PT and no survivors were found.
News of the crash sent shock waves around the world. Kobe was a beloved internationally from Italy to China.
He also played in the Philippines and had great admiration for the Filipino ring legend Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao who met Bryant on several occasions.
The Philippines also took the death of Kobe Bryant hard since the number one sport watched in the country has always been basketball and Kobe has hosted basketball events in there.
Pacquiao, 41, paid tribute to the Kobe Bryant on his Instagram and Twitter with a photo of Kobe visiting him at the Wild Card boxing club in Hollywood and captioning the photo: “The world lost a legend today but the impact and legacy he leaves behind will last forever! #RIPMamba”
Bryant who passed away at 41, was enjoying his life in retirement and was proud of his 13-year-old basketball playing daughter Gianna who also died in the crash. She took up the love of basketball just like her father and already developed into a skilled basketball prodigy. Friends and family are mourning the tragic loss of Kobe and Gigi.
Kobe is survived by his wife Vanessa, and their 3 other daughters Natalia Diamante Bryant, Bianka Bella Bryant, Capri Kobe Bryant.
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