NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter got killed in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles

Photo Courtesy: ESPN

The retired NBA player Kobe Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, 13, were among the victims of a helicopter crash on Sunday, January 26 in Calabasas, Los Angeles California.

L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva confirmed that there were nine passengers in the aircraft, one pilot and eight passengers. He added that he would not confirm who died until they've contacted all of the victim's closest relative.

Jerry Kocharian witnessed the crash happening outside the Church in the Canyon.

“It [didn’t] sound right and it was real low. I saw it falling and spluttering. But it was hard to make out as it was so foggy,” Kocharian said in an interview with Los Angeles Times.

Public figures, teammates, and fans alike showed their mourning for the basketball star shortly after the news of him passing away reached them.

“I know somewhere along the way I guess I’ll come to grips with it. But now I have all these different emotions regarding him. The things I watched him do on the basketball court, but more importantly he was going to make a difference off the court, and he was making a difference off the court. It’s so unexplainable. This is going to take a long time for me.” said Jerry West, Lakers General Manager in 1996 and the one who made Bryant's trade possible after he was drafted in Charlotte Hornets.

Former President Barrack Obama tweeted “Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act,”. He also added “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.”

Staples center quickly changed their set up for what would be a Grammy Awards dress rehearsal to a tribute for the former NBA superstar, setting up his 2 jerseys; No. 8 and No. 24 side by side.

Kobe Bryant was born in Philadelphia on August 23, 1978. He followed his father's, Joe Bryant, footsteps in playing in NBA who played for eight seasons in three different teams, Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. Kobe was drafted in 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets as the 13th overall but was traded for the starting center Vlade Divac of Los Angeles Lakers which where his legend, unknowingly, will begin.

He made his debut on the 1996-97 season against Minnesota as that time's youngest player ever to appear on an NBA game at 17 years old.

It was only followed by a successful career with different awards; 5-time NBA champion: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010, 2-time NBA finals MVP: 2009 and 2010, NBA Most Valuable Player: 2008, 2-time scoring champion: 2006 and 2007, 18-time NBA All-Star: 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 4-time NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2002, 2007, 2009, 2011 (shared the 2009 award with Shaquille O'Neal), 15-time All-NBA Team selection: First team: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, Second team: 2000, 2001, and Third team: 1999, 2005, NBA All-Rookie selection: 1997, 2nd most points in a game: 81 (on January 22, 2006 vs. the Toronto Raptors), and 2x Best NBA Player ESPY Award winner: 2008, 2010.

Those were just a hint of his success as his legend will continue after his death. With having millions of fans around the world, his name will never be forgotten. Lastly, the name "Kobe" will forever be shouted as a fan trying to recreate his infamous shot, his signature fade-away shot.