Kobe Bryant tragically passes away in helicopter crash

Los Angeles Lakers and NBA legend Kobe Bryant tragically passed away Sunday morning after he was involved in a helicopter crash

Update: According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Kobe’s daughter, Gigi, was also on board during the accident.

Kobe Bryant tragically passed away Sunday morning when a helicopter he was traveling in, with at least three other people, went down in Southern California.

TMZ first reported the news on Sunday morning and has since been confirmed through multiple outlets.

Details of the accident are still unknown. Though, it has been reported that his wife, Vanessa Bryant, was not with him during the time of the accident.

There are conflicting reports about whether or not his daughters were on board during the accident.

Kobe, 41, retired from the NBA in 2016 but was still very much involved and a major public figure in the league. He was recently seen at numerous NBA games along with his family.

Kobe played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers and won five NBA championships with the club. He was traded to the Lakers on draft night, in 1996, after originally being selected by the Charlotte Hornets. He will forever be synonymous with the Lakers franchise and saw his No. 8 and No. 24 jersey retired by the team in 2017.

Despite other details being reported, it’s important to note that there are many unconfirmed reports at this time. It’s important to respect the Bryant family at this time. Kobe Bryant was a great player, but perhaps an even better human.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Bryant family and the rest of the families that have been impacted by this tragedy. Life is precious and shouldn’t be taken for granted. Basketball is a great sport, but there are things in life that are more important. Times like these, that becomes pretty evident.