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(FILES) In this file photo taken on September 13, 2019 former basketball player Kobe Bryant of the US waves at the crowd during the Basketball World Cup semi-final game between Australia and Spain in Beijing. - According to multiple US media sources, Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on January 26, 2020, at the age of 41. (Photo by Greg BAKER / AFP)
Basketball legend Kobe Bryant was killed at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash in California this morning, multiple U.S. media have reported citing sources.
Reports say the retired player was traveling with at least three other people in his private helicopter when it went down in Calabasas, about 40 miles (65 km) northwest of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff said on Twitter that five people died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas and that there were no survivors.
Bryant was an 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He retired in 2016 as the third-leading scorer in NBA history, finishing two decades with the Lakers as a prolific scorer with a sublime all-around game and a relentless competitive ethic. He held that spot in the league scoring ranks until Saturday night, when the Lakers' LeBron James passed him for third place during a game in Philadelphia, Bryant's hometown.
"Continuing to move the game forward (at) KingJames,” Bryant wrote in his last tweet. “Much respect my brother.”
Bryant had one of the greatest careers in recent NBA history and became one of the game's most popular players as the face of the 16-time NBA champion Lakers franchise. He was the league MVP in 2008 and a two-time NBA scoring champion, and he earned 12 selections to the NBA's All-Defensive teams.
He teamed with Shaquille O'Neal in a combustible partnership to lead the Lakers to NBA titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002. He later teamed with Pau Gasol to win two more titles in 2009 and 2010.
Bryant's impact on China
Bryant visited China for the 2008 Olympics and launched the Kobe Bryant China Fund in 2009 to raise funds for education, sports, and culture programs for children from China and the United States.
Following the Sichuan earthquake in 2009, Bryant's charity donated 5 million RMB ($732,000) to children impacted by the earthquake.
His other charity, the Kobe Bryant Family Foundation also worked teach middle school students in the U.S. about Chinese language and culture.
Bryant was hugely popular in China.
Hu Qili (1st right), chairman of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, presents Kobe Bryant with a Soong Ching Ling Charity Award at the Kobe China Fund charity event in Beijing on Monday, July 27, 2009. [CRIENGLISH.com]
