TMZ Sports confirms NBA legend Kobe Bryant has died in a helicopter crash earlier this afternoon.

 

TMZ reports, “Kobe was traveling with at least 3 other people in his private helicopter when it went down. A fire broke out. Emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived. 5 people are confirmed dead. We’re told Vanessa Bryant was not among those on board.  Eyewitnesses also tell us that they heard the helicopter’s engine sputtering before it went down. The cause of the crash is under investigation.  Kobe has famously used a helicopter to travel for years — dating back to when he played for the Lakers. He was known for commuting from Newport Beach, CA to the STAPLES Center in DTLA in his Sikorsky S-76 chopper.”

 

These photos, were taken by TMZ, close to the crash site.

 

 

 

 

Kobe is known to the world as ‘one of the greatest NBA players of all time.’  He had a 20 year career with the L.A. Lakers, he made 18 All-Star teams, in 1996, he was a first-round draft pick, he won 5 NBA championships along with 2 NBA Finals MVPs and scored the league MVP in 2008.  As TMZ notes, “The Lakers famously retired both of Kobe’s jerseys, number 8 and 24 … the only player in team history to receive that honor.”

 

In 2018, Kobe released a short film titled ‘Dear Basketball’ and won an Oscar.

 

https://youtu.be/ENzx5r0bX7A

 

 

 

Josh Goldberg from Spotsnet gives KiSS listeners an update on Kobe Bryant.

 

 

 

Kobe, who was only 41-years old, leaves behind his wife of 19 years, Vanessa, and their four daughters, Gianna, Natalia, Bianca and newborn Capri.

 

This story is still developing.

 

 
Filed under: kobe-bryant, nba, tmz