NBA legend Kobe Bryant died Sunday morning in a helicopter crash northwest of Los Angeles. He was 41. Eight others were aboard the craft when it went down. There are no survivors. Wife Vanessa was not among those on-board. The couple has four daughters, the youngest born just this past June. Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna, also known as GiGi, was among those lost.

“We’re told they were on their way to the Mamba Academy for a basketball practice when the crash occurred,” TMZ reports, “The Academy is in nearby Thousand Oaks.” This has not been confirmed.

Eyewitnesses tell TMZ they heard the chopper sputtering before it came down. The NTSB is investigating the cause of the crash.

We join in praying for the Bryant family and friends, the NBA community and the City of Angels he dazzled for two decades.

Kobe’s Career

Kobe Bryant joined the Lakers at the age of 17. Eighteen times in his 20-year-career he was an all-star. He left the Lakers with five championship rings. Kobe scored 33,643 points. In fact, just last night, Lebron James passed Kobe for the number 3 spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Kobe immediately tweeted his congrats to King James.

Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020

After the game, James spoke of Kobe’s influence on his own career.

“another guy that I looked up to when I was in grade school and high school,” James said. “Seeing him come straight out of high school, he is someone that I used as inspiration. It was like, wow. Seeing a kid, 17 years old, come into the NBA and trying to make an impact on a franchise, I used it as motivation. He helped me before he even knew of me because of what he was able to do. So, just to be able to, at this point of my career, to share the same jersey that he wore, be with this historical franchise and just represent the purple and gold, it’s very humbling and it’s dope.

Kobe’s a legend. That’s for damn sure.

Bryant was still finding success in retirement. In 2018, he won an Academy Award for “Best Animated Short” with “Dear Basketball,” a film he wrote and produced. “I feel better than winning the championship, to be honest with you. I swear I do,” he said afterward.

Laker Legends and the Basketball World Reacts

Reaction to the death of the basketball legend has begun pouring in.

https://twitter.com/LakersLosAngel/status/1221529473205653505

Former Laker teammate Shaquille O’Neal, with whom Kobe won champions and had one feuded, shared his love:

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

Fellow Laker greats Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tweeted their sorrow at the loss.

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

Nooooooooooo God please No!

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) 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

No @NBA player supported the @WNBA or women’s college basketball more than Kobe. He attended games, watched on tv, coached the next generation. We pray for his family. https://t.co/ZhTCxD3sRg

— Rebecca Lobo (@RebeccaLobo) January 26, 2020

The Political World Reacts

President Trump tweeted his shock at the “terrible news.” He later followed with a statement:

Kobe Bryant, despite being one of the truly great basketball players of all time, was just getting started in life. He loved his family so much, and had such strong passion for the future. The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even more devastating….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020

…..Melania and I send our warmest condolences to Vanessa and the wonderful Bryant family. May God be with you all!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020

Former President Barack Obama issued a statement.

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

Former Vice President Joe Biden was told at a campaign stop in Iowa. He reportedly told reporters, “It makes you realize you’ve got to make every day count.”

.@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

Stream Senior Contributor Dr. Michael L. Brown echoed the same thought:

The sudden passing of Kobe Bryant at the age of 41 is a reminder to each of us to live each day to the full, to take nothing for granted, and to make our lives count in light of eternity. (And may God comfort the grieving families.)

— Dr. Michael L. Brown (@DrMichaelLBrown) January 26, 2020