The sports world was shocked on Sunday when it was learnt that Kobe Bryant had died when his helicopter crashed.
Retired, but still only 41, he was one of sport’s greatest ambassadors and most revered of the Los Angeles Lakers’ many super-stars.
He and the eight other personal on board were all confirmed dead in a fiery mid-morning crash at Calabasas, California.
An investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is ongoing and it has been confirmed there were no survivors. The Department would not release the names of those who perished in the crash.
However, there have been reliable and wide-spread reports of the tragedy. All confirm Bryant and his ‘basketball-crazy’13-year-old daughter Gianna were among the nine victims. Gianna, nicknamed “Gigi,” inherited her father’s love of the sport and hoped to one day play in the WNBA.
Baseball’s John Altobelli also among dead
Also known to be among the dead was the famed Orange Coast College baseball coaching legend John Altobelli. His his wife, Keri, and their daughter, Alyssa perished with him.
CBS news reported that famed women weight-lifter/body builder Christina Mauser was also reported to be among the dead.
Bryant famously flew by helicopter to games and practices while playing for the Lakers. It was more comfortable than a car and it avoided LA’s heavy traffic. After his retirement he continued doing to do so for business and personal reasons.
Tributes for five-time NBA champion and 2008 MVP Bryant have been pouring in from all corners of the sporting world.
Few, if any NBA super stars have retired with as much glory from a farewell game as Kobe Bryant did.
Fitting tribute to glittering 20-year career
We believe it to be a fitting tribute, therefore, to look back on his memorable farewell against the Utah Jazz on April 13, 2016.
Here in point-form are some of the highlights that made the end game of his glittering 20-year career so memorable
60 – Bryant’s final-game points-total. No other player in the NBA history has scored as many points s their farewell games.
50 – The amount of shooting attempts by Bryant. It eclipsed Michael Jordan’s record of 49 shots against the Orlando Magic in 1993. Bryant took 15 more shots in that game than the rest of his team-mates combined.
16 – Unassisted points recorded. When it really mattered, Bryant took control in his Hollywood goodbye. All of his final seven baskets came without an assist.
18 – Contested shots made against the Jazz. Bryant nailed 18 of 40 shots with a defender within 3.5 feet of him.
22 – Points scored by Bryant in the paint. Having great success with layups, he also finished six-of-21 from three-point range.
13 – Unanswered points posted in the final two minutes of the game. The Lakers trailed by 10 points with 2:36 minutes remaining before Bryant sparked then Lakers fight-back.
2 – Turnovers committed in a real standout performance. Bryant took care of the ball, despite his record amount of shooting attempts.
4 – Assists tallied by ‘the Black Mamba’ (as he was often called). Jordan Clarkson was the main beneficiary. He received three dimes from Bryant.
0 – Shots made in the first six minutes of the game. Nerves clearly troubled Bryant in the opening exchanges. He missed his first five shots.
7 – It had been seven years since Bryant’s previous 60-point game. The 18-time All-Star fired 61 against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in 2009.
18,997 – The numbers of fans in attendance for Bryant’s farewell at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Yup, this happened. #ThankYouKobehttps://t.co/BBxxjm1Fpn
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 14, 2016