NBA legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday. The former Los Angeles Laker, nicknamed Black Mamba, was 41.
His 13-year-old daughter Gianna was among the helicopters eight other passengers, who were all confirmed dead.
John Altobelli, Orange Coast Colleges head baseball coach, was among the victims, the college said in a statement . In an interview with CNN , John Altobellis brother Tony said Altobellis wife, Keri, and one of their two daughters, Alyssa, were also aboard.
In a news conference on Sunday afternoon, Los Angeles Sheriffs Department authorities refused to name the victims in the crash until the county coroner identifies them and officials notify next of kin.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed a S-76 helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances. The FAA said it will investigate the crash, as will the National Transportation Safety Board.
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NTSB member Jennifer Homendy said at a news conference that a team of 18 people are going to the scene of the crash. Homendy said NTSB will investigate the history of the pilot and whatever crew was on board, maintenance records of the helicopter and information on the helicopters owner.
Bryant, who was married to wife Vanessa for more than 18 years, was also father to Natalia, Bianka and Capri.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement that the NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Bryant and his daughter.
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For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning, Silver said in a statement. He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game ... But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability. He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/P88GwIwmYV
Bryant entered the league in 1996 right after he graduated from high school and played for the Lakers for 20 seasons. He was a five-time NBA champion, helping the Lakers win titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010.
The 18-time NBA All Star was named league MVP in 2008. He also won two Olympic gold medals for mens basketball.
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Bryant, who retired from the Lakers in 2016, is No. 4 on the NBAs all-time points leaders, with 33,643 points . Bryant tweeted his congratulations to Laker LeBron James on Saturday, after James total points passed Bryants, putting James in the No. 3 spot. It was Bryants last tweet.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames . Much respect my brother #33644
In 2018, Bryant became the first NBA player in history to win an Academy Award for his animated short Dear Basketball.
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