Kobe Bryant | 1978 - 2020
Basketball legend Kobe Bryant (41) and his daughter Gianna (13) were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the city of Calabasas, California on Sunday, January 26. The helicopter crashed in a remote field off around 10:00 local time according to a release by the City of Calabasas.
Coroners are yet to officially identify all the passengers, but family members and friends of the victims have reportedly mourned the death of their beloved ones on (social) media.
John Altobelli, coach of the Orange Coast College basketball team, was among the passengers, along with his wife Keri and their 13-year-old daughter Alyssa – who played with Bryant’s daughter, Gianna. Christina Mauser, a basketball coach at Gianna’s school, was also on board, her husband wrote on Facebook.
Bryant, who spent a half-dozen years as a child in Italy, played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, before he retired in April 2016. The two-time NBA Finals’ MVP is survived by his wife Vanessa and three other daughters, Natalia, Bianca and Capri.
“Black Mamba”, the nickname assigned by himself, was a noted football fan and a supporter of AC Milan, and later, FC Barcelona. He was also a shareholder in the BODYARMOR company, which entered a partnership with the Major League Soccer (MLS) a few days ago to become the the official sports drink of 19 of the league’s club.
My heartfelt condolences go out to the Bryant family and the families of the other victims. The world has lost a true legend of sports and an inspiration for a whole generation. May your souls rest in peace!