Legendary basketball star Kobe Bryant, 41, died along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. The former NBA star was in his own private helicopter before 10 a.m. PT, flying with his daughter and other family friends to an academy where Bryant coached his daughter’s basketball team. He had left from Orange County and was traveling to Los Angeles when the helicopter made a sudden turn, crashing into a hillside in Calabasas and catching fire. The pilot had been given permission to fly in potentially dangerous weather conditions due to heavy fog in Southern California, according to the FAA. The incident is still an active federal investigation, in which weather conditions and possible mechanical problems will be observed. 

The announcement of Kobe Bryant’s death have sparked memorials all over the world, including a large memorials outside the Staple Center in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Lakers home, the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, CA, in which Bryant was the founder. 

Bryant’s legendary career (1996-2016) will always be remembered as one of the greatest sporting careers of all time, including Bryant’s 20 seasons in the NBA, all spent with the Lakers. He was a five-time NBA Champion, twice being named Finals MVP, 18-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA First Team, nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team, Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and the youngest player in NBA history at the time of his debut. 

Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant are survived by Kobe’s wife Vanessa and his three other children.