Breaking: Kobe Bryant Killed In Helicopter Crash

Kobe Bryant  is among five people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

A source confirmed to HipHollywood that Bryant was en route to his Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks when the crash occurred. Police are not releasing names of the passengers but we are told that his wife Vanessa Bryant was not on board. Bryant was en route to coach his 13-year-old daughter Gianna’s basketball game.

Bryant’s death was first reported by TMZ.

The Laker legend was traveling with at least 3 other people in his private helicopter when it went down. Emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived. 5 people are confirmed dead

Bryant has famously used a helicopter to travel for years — dating back to when he played for the Lakers. He was known for commuting from Newport Beach, CA to the STAPLES Center in DTLA in his Sikorsky S-76 chopper.

Eyewitnesses say they heard the helicopter’s engine sputtering before it went down.  The official cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

Bryant, is widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time — making 18 All-Star teams during his 20 year career with the Lakers. He was a first-round pick in the 1996 draft, winning 5 NBA championships, 2 NBA Finals MVPs and he was the league MVP in ’08.

He was on 15 All-NBA Teams, 12 All-Defensive Teams and led the league in scoring for two seasons. He ranks fourth in the NBA for all-time regular season scoring and all-time postseason scoring. He also repped USA in a number of Olympics appearances.

The Lakers famously retired both of Kobe’s jerseys, number 8 and 24 … the only player in team history to receive that honor. After retiring in 2016 Bryant began other ventures outside of basketball. He won an Oscar for his short film, “Dear Basketball,” in 2018.

Bryant is survived by his wife Vanessa Bryant, and three daughters Gianna, Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri. Kobe and Vanessa got married in 2001 after meeting in 1999. He was 41 years old.

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