The world mourns the death of an NBA legend, Kobe Bryant as reports confirmed his death ahead of the Grammy awards, which took place in the Staples center, Los Angeles where the basketball superstar played many home games for the Lakers.
Bryant passed away in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, along with all other passengers including the pilot. A college baseball coach and his wife and daughter were also among the passengers killed.
There has since been an outpour of tributes for the NBA superstar from Kevin Hart to Drake, Jennifer Lopez and South African media personalities alike who took to social media to share their grief over the tragic death.
“Tonight is for Kobe”, said Lizzo while opening the Grammy, hosted by Alicia Keys who proceeded in giving an emotional speech; “Here we are together on music’s biggest night celebrating the artists that do it best,” said keys. “But to be honest with you we’re all feeling crazy sadness right now because earlier today Los Angeles, America, and the whole wide world lost a hero. And we’re literally standing here, heartbroken, in the house that Kobe Bryant built.”
In local grounds, AKA shared his disbelief over the tragic news, asking “why does God let these things happen?”, while pointing out how young Bryant’s daughter Gianna was to have been taken away this early in life.
“I cannot believe this is real. My god. Oh my god,” Chrissy Teigen wrote on Twitter, while Lakers general manager Jerry West spoke to ABC News about Bryant’s impact Kobe Bryant not only on basketball, but in their personal encounters throughout the years.
Basketball legend Michael Jordan issued a statement describing Bryant as “a little brother to me”.
“I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe’s and Gianna’s passing. Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling. I loved Kobe — he was like a little brother to me.”
