Basketball megastar Kobe Bryant, along with his daughter and seven others died over the week in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles.
The former Los Angeles Lakers star was flying from his home when the accident happened. The helicopter was said to have crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California.
His daughter Gianna Maria Onore Bryant, 13, also died in the crash along with her friend and her friend’s family.
His death has been felt the world over.
From presidents Donald Trump to Barack Obama and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, world leaders mourned the passing of the NBA great.
Trump tweeted that Kobe “despite being one of the truly great basketball players of all time, was just getting started in life. He loved his family so much, and had such strong passion for the future. The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even more devastating….”
Former president Obama said Kobe was a legend.
“Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. 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,” he wrote on Twitter.
Even the Chinese state media posted tributes to the basketball star, writing that Kobe “evoked the love for basketball” amongst the Chinese youth.
“From primary school to university, he accompanied the youth of countless people, and evoked the love for basketball among many young Chinese people,” the People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of China’s ruling Communist Party posted online.
Japanese fans also mourned Kobe with a few reminding the world that the NBA legend was named after the city of Kobe.
“I’ve been always proud that I’m from Kobe because Kobe Bryant was named after my city. I’m totally heartbroken. RIP to a legend from Japan,” said Twitter user Fugu.
