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On Sunday, TMZ first reported and Varietysubsequently confirmed that Bryant, along with eight others, had been killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs tweeted about the crash shortly after it happened, initially noting that five had died. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva confirmed later at a press conference that authorities "believe" there were nine deaths, though the investigation continues.
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A later TMZ report added the heartbreaking confirmation that Bryant's daughter Gianna Maria, 13, also died in the crash. A subsequent update from ESPN corroborated TMZ's reporting. They were reportedly taking the helicopter trip to go to one of Gianna's basketball games.
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Bryant led the Lakers to five NBA Championships during his 20-year tenure with the team, notably with three consecutive wins alongside teammate Shaquille O'Neal from 2000-2003, in a run known locally as the "threepeat." He retired after the 2016 season.
Kobe and Gianna Maria are survived by their wife/mother Vanessa and the Bryants' three other daughters. Just a few days before the tragedy, a video clip of Bryant talking basketball courtside with Gianna went viral.
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A personal pride in the Los Angeles Lakers is almost a requirement for every Angeleno who saw the early 2000s, and no player is more closely associated with that feeling than Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti expressed what Bryant meant to Los Angeles in a tweet commemorating Bryant's impact on the city.
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The immediate reaction from fans and followers on social media was shock at the death of the local and national legend. Outpourings of grief, love, and support abounded on Twitter, including from Los Angeles Timesowner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong and U.S. Women's National Team soccer captain Megan Rapinoe, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, who is set to compete in the Superbowl next Sunday.
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On Saturday, Kobe Bryant was in the national eye as he graciously watched LeBron James overtake his record as third highest NBA scorer of all time. It was a touching occurrence for Bryant's fans, as Michael Jordan had been present when Bryant achieved the same record in 2014.
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Bryant was largely a beloved figure, but was also at the center of controversy when he was accused of rape in 2003. The criminal charges were dismissed, and the civil suit settled after he agreed to apologize to his accuser.
Despite the allegations, Bryant's reputation has remained intact in the intervening years. Sunday, fellow basketball players shared what he meant to the game and to them as individuals.
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Current players paid tribute to Bryant during the opening seconds of Sunday's NBA Raptors-Spurs game. Both teams agreed that whichever side won the tip-off would let the 24 second shot-clock run out in honor of Bryant — whose final jersey number with the Lakers was 24.
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UPDATE: Jan. 26, 2020, 5:46 p.m. EST Changed the total number of deceased from 5, as initially reported, to 9, as confirmed by the sheriff of Los Angeles County in an afternoon press conference.
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