All nine people on board were killed in the crash on Jan. 26, 2020.
January 26 marks the fifth death anniversary of the NBA legend Kobe Bryant who died in a helicopter crash in California. Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people died in the crash in Calabasas, California in 2020.
On Jan. 26, 2020, the entire USA was in shock after knowing the helicopter crash update. Kobe Bryant was the biggest sports personality in the country. NBA and its fans couldn’t believe that Mamba was no more. Countless tributes were held to honor the NBA superstar, his daughter and the others killed in the crash.
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Kobe Bryant was going to his daughter’s basketball game at his Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California. He was travelling with Gianna and seven others in the helicopter, which crashed into the hillside due to foggy conditions. All nine people on board were killed.
As per the reports of NTSB, the helicopter entered low cloud cover, which caused the pilot to lose his sense of orientation, and thus lose control. Apart from Kobe and his daughter, pilot Ara Zobayan was also killed. Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli died along with his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa.
Christina Mauser, who coached his daughter’s basketball team didn’t survive in the crash. Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton were among the seven people who died. Alyssa and Payton were Gianna’s teammates.
Two hours later after the crash, TMZ confirmed Bryant’s death. The Medical Examiner-Coroner recovered all nine bodies from the crash site by Jan. 28. The bodies of Kobe Bryant and his daughter were identified through fingerprints. A makeshift memorial was set up outside Staples Center shortly after Bryant’s death. Bryant and his daughter were buried in a private funeral on Feb. 07.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issues a statement, “The NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, … For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning. He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary.”
Biggest NBA stars, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal expressed their condolences. “I’m heartbroken and devastated … I promise you I’ll continue your legacy,” said LeBron James.
The NBA later postponed the Lakers’ game against the Clippers that had been scheduled for Jan 28, 2020. Several NBA players, who were wearing Bryant’s uniform numbers, decided to change to new numbers in honor of Bryant. Los Angeles Lakers dedicated the championship to Bryant after winning the 2020 NBA Finals.
Kobe Bryant had a long 20-year career in the NBA and only played for the Los Angeles Lakers. He won five NBA championships and finished as one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history. He also earned 18 NBA All-Star selection and was the NBA MVP in 2008.
Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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