The tragic helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, 41, his daughter Gianna, 13, and 7 other people shocked the world. It happened in Calabasas, California, as the 9 passengers on board were travelling to basketball practice at Bryant’s Mamba Academy.
As media reports, the fatal accident took place around the house of reality star Kourtney Kardashian’s house. She was also one of the first to Tweet about it.
Former NBA super star and 5-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant is reportedly among the five people confirmed dead, after the helicopter they were traveling crashed in #Calabasas , Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/2DYAx2p3yx
— News_Executive (@News_Executive) January 26, 2024
Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, as the youngest of three children of the former NBA player Joe Bryant. The family moved to Italy when Kobe was 6, where he started his basketball journey and learned to speak fluent Italian.
Read also: Kobe Bryant’s Love Letter to Basketball
He also learned Spanish there rather easily. Over the summer, they would go back to the USA where Kobe played Summer League basketball. Growing up, the Lakers were his favorite club.
At 17 years of age, he was drafted 13 overall by the Charlotte Hornets at the 1996 NBA Draft. He was immediately traded to the LA Lakers for Vlade Divac.
He started his career there, and after 20 seasons, retired wearing purple and gold. He was a 5-time champion, 2-time Finals MVP, 1-time NBA MVP, 2-time Leading Scorer, 18-time All-Star, 4-time All-Star MVP. With Team USA, he won Olympic Gold Medals in 2008 and 2012.
Nicola Holder