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Not Houston Rockets news, but big NBA news nonetheless: Former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has died at 41 in helicopter crash in California.
Kobe Bryant is among those dead in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles, a source confirms to ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020
Bryant’s copter reportedly crashed and caught fire, keeping emergency personnel from getting to anyone. Kobe was one of five people on the flight and none of them survived.
In a stark reminder of how life can change in an instant, Kobe had just tweeted congrats to Lebron James a mere hours before after being passed by Lebron on the all-time scoring list.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother #33644
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
There are conflicting reports that Bryant may have also been with one of his daughters. More as we have it.
#BREAKING: Kobe's daughter Gianna Maria was also on board the helicopter and died in the crash https://t.co/1n7U8bvqhI
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 26, 2020
Condolences from The Dream Shake.
UPDATE:
The news is official. Terrible.
Sources: Kobe Bryant was on his way to a travel basketball game with his daughter Gianna when the helicopter crashed. Those aboard the helicopter also included another player and parent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020