Tributes and heartfelt messages are pouring in from around the world for NBA MVP Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others who perished in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
Bryant, 41 and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria Onore Bryant were traveling to Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks for a basketball game when the helicopter crashed into the mountains near Calabasas due to foggy weather. Bryant was expected to coach and Gianna was expected to play in the game.
With a 20-year career playing for the Lakers, Bryant was a five-time world champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist and 18-time All-Star.
According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, the recovery effort is expected to take several days because of the condition of the crash site and its remote location. Officials have shut down roads leading to the site because people are trying to get to the area.
He is survived by his wife Vanessa Laine Bryant, daughters Natalia Diamante, Bianka Bella, and Capri Kobe.
The 2020 Grammys ceremony hosted on Sunday evening opened with a heartfelt tribute to basketball player Kobe Bryant.
“Tonight is for you Kobe,” said pop star Lizzo, when she opened the show with the song Cuz I Love You.
Alicia Keys tearfully dedicated the show to Bryant with an acapella version of It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye, accompanied by Boyz II Men.
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Picture: Twitter