Kobe Bryant and His 13-Year-Old Daughter Die in Helicopter Crash

Updated at 4:40 p.m. CST: Kobe Bryant’s 13-year old daughter, Gianna, was on board the helicopter which was in-route to her basketball tournament. Sheriff Alex Villanueva said nine people were traveling on the aircraft, and all perished. According the authorities, the Federal Aviation Administration has begun an investigation.

NBA Superstar Kobe Bryant died today when his helicopter crashed near Los Angeles, California. Bryant, considered one of the greatest NBA players, spent 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant entered the NBA after high school to great anticipation and earned five NBA championships.

Bryant leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Vanessa, and their three daughters.

In last night’s Lakers – Philadelphia game, LeBron James moved past Bryant to become third on the League’s all-time highest scoring list. During his postgame remarks, James talked about his admiration of Bryant, saying he was inspired because Bryant also moved from high school to the NBA. James shared how Bryant gave him a pair of sneakers when James was a high school player.

“He was a 15, and I was a 14, but I rocked them anyway,” James said.

Bryant tweeted after LeBron’s game.

Bryant, the son of NBA basketball player Joe Bryant, started playing the game when he was a small child. The Lakers were his favorite team, and he spent his entire career with the team. Kobe Bryant was 41 years old.