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Kobe Bryant dies in Calabasas helicopter crash, per reports

By Jason Reed

BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 15: NBA Legends Kobe Bryant takes part in a ceremony during FIBA World Cup 2019 final match between Argentina and Spain at Beijing Wukesong Sport Arena on September 15, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 15: NBA Legends Kobe Bryant takes part in a ceremony during FIBA World Cup 2019 final match between Argentina and Spain at Beijing Wukesong Sport Arena on September 15, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) /
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Twenty-year Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was reportedly one of five people who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas on Sunday morning.

Update (12:59 p.m.): Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were on their way to a travel basketball game. Those also involved in the crash were reportedly another parent and player. 

Update (12:50 p.m.): TMZ reports that Kobe Bryant’s daughter, Gianna, also died in the crash.

TMZ first reported that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was one of five people who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday morning. Curt Sandoval of ABC 7 confirmed the reports via Twitter shortly after the initial report. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN also confirmed the news via Twitter.

Prior to the initial TMZ report, the LA County Sheriffs tweeted that five people were confirmed dead in the crash on Sunday morning. TMZ’s report states that Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Laine Bryant, was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

The identities of the other individuals have not been released and the cause of the crash is still under investigation. According to TMZ, multiple eyewitnesses stated that they could hear the helicopter’s engine sputtering before it eventually crashed into the mountaintop.

Bryant played 20 seasons in the NBA, all for the Los Angeles Lakers. His last game came in 2016, where he scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz.

On Saturday, LeBron James passed Kobe Bryant in all-time points scored in Bryant’s hometown of Philadelphia and shared candid memories with Kobe in the post-game presser.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger received his National League MVP award on Saturday in New York and Kobe congratulated Bellinger with a video that was posted on the Dodgers Twitter account.

https://twitter.com/Cody_Bellinger/status/1221288727609257984

Along with his wife Vanessa, Kobe and Gianna are survived by Natalia, Bianca and Capri.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryant’s family and friends.

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