The daughter of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant Gianna Maria Onore has been confirmed to have died alongside her father in a tragic helicopter crash on Sunday 26 January, in accordance with stories.
Representatives for the late basketball legend, 41, are understood to have confirmed to TMZ Sports activities that Gianna was additionally on board the helicopter which crashed in Calabasas, LA.
It’s understood the Kobe, his daughter and not less than two different passengers had been within the helicopter on their approach to Mamba Academy for basketball observe.
The chopper is reported to have had a fireplace get away on board earlier than it crashed on Sunday morning.
Movie star information web site reported TMZ: “Kobe’s daughter Gianna Maria Onore — aka GiGi — was additionally on board the helicopter and died within the crash … reps for Kobe inform TMZ Sports activities. She was 13.
“We’re instructed they had been on their approach to the Mamba Academy for a basketball observe when the crash occurred. The Academy is in close by Thousand Oaks.”
“Kobe was touring with not less than three different folks in his personal helicopter when it went down. A hearth broke out.
“Emergency personnel responded, however no person on board survived. 5 persons are confirmed useless.”
It’s understood Kobe’s spouse Vanessa Bryant was “not on board” the helicopter when it crashed on Sunday morning.
Tributes for the late basketball legend and his daughter started to pour in from celebrities and sports activities stars, including a “shaking” Khloe Kardashian.
Actress Reese Witherspoon stated: “Simply devastated to listen to about #KobeBryant .A unprecedented athlete, and a genuinely variety, fantastic man. Sending love, prayers & compassion to his household. To his total @NBA household as nicely.”
Mindy Kaling posted a tribute to the late basketball star as she wrote: “#KobeBryant you had been the best. You made our metropolis and the remainder of the world so proud. Each basketball fan knew the magnificence of the Mamba. Love and therapeutic to Vanessa and people little women. God, that is simply the worst ever.”
Kendall Jenner stated: “relaxation peacefully Kobe, Gigi & the remainder of the passengers we misplaced right now. my coronary heart actually goes out to all of the households. give an enormous hug to the folks you like right now”
Whereas former footballer and sports activities commentator Gary Lineker merely wrote: “No. Please, no.”
Gianna, who was reportedly nicknamed Gigi by her late father, not too long ago reignited his visits to NBA basketball video games as a result of their shared love for the sport.
Talking about his daughter, Kobe not too long ago instructed former NBA gamers Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on the Showtime Basketball podcast All of the Smoke: “Earlier than Gigi received into basketball I hardly watched it, however now that’s she’s into basketball, we watch each evening.”
He added: “We simply had a lot enjoyable as a result of it was the primary time I used to be seeing the sport by her eyes.
“It wasn’t me sitting there, you understand, as an athlete or a participant or one thing like that, and you understand it’s like about me, and I don’t like that,” he added. “It was her, she was having such a great time.”