Following the deaths of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven other people in a tragic helicopter accident on Sunday, tributes from stars and fans alike have been flooding in for the NBA All-Star.

A petition aimed at convincing the NBA to change the player on its logo from Jerry West to Bryant currently boasts over 246,000 signatures, while The University of Connecticut (Gianna's dream college) has honored her memory with a special Huskies jersey which features the teen's number emblazoned on the front.

Now Bryant's former teammate Lebron James has taken to social media to show off a new tattoo tribute he has had designed in honor of his close friend.

In a post made to his Instagram stories, Lebron could clearly be seen under the needle, with a new tattoo that resembled a black mamba snake and what appears to be the words "Mamba 4 Life". He captioned the post: "It’s that time again! Working with my girl @Nessaurelia!! [sic]"

Celebrity gossip site TMZ reports that James plans to officially reveal the inking on social media later this week, allegedly some time before the Los Angeles Lakers face off against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Staples Center in downtown LA.

But fans on Twitter have already praised James for the touching tribute (along with fellow LA Laker star Anthony Davis):

Earlier this week, after sharing a picture of the two of them on the court together, Lebron wrote: "I’m Not Ready but here I go. Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had! I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. [sic]"

He continued: "Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have. WTF!! I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!! [...] Man I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all here especially #LakerNation [...] and it’s my responsibility to put this sh*t on my back and keep it going!! [sic]"

He added: "Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me! I got US here! There’s so much more I want to say but just can’t right now because I can’t get through it! Until we meet again my brother!! [sic]"

Following the deaths of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven other people in a tragic helicopter accident on Sunday, tributes from stars and fans alike have been flooding in for the NBA All-Star.

A petition aimed at convincing the NBA to change the player on its logo from Jerry West to Bryant currently boasts over 246,000 signatures, while The University of Connecticut (Gianna's dream college) has honored her memory with a special Huskies jersey which features the teen's number emblazoned on the front.

Now Bryant's former teammate Lebron James has taken to social media to show off a new tattoo tribute he has had designed in honor of his close friend.

In a post made to his Instagram stories, Lebron could clearly be seen under the needle, with a new tattoo that resembled a black mamba snake and what appears to be the words "Mamba 4 Life". He captioned the post: "It’s that time again! Working with my girl @Nessaurelia!! [sic]"

Celebrity gossip site TMZ reports that James plans to officially reveal the inking on social media later this week, allegedly some time before the Los Angeles Lakers face off against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Staples Center in downtown LA.

But fans on Twitter have already praised James for the touching tribute (along with fellow LA Laker star Anthony Davis):

Earlier this week, after sharing a picture of the two of them on the court together, Lebron wrote: "I’m Not Ready but here I go. Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had! I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. [sic]"

He continued: "Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have. WTF!! I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!! [...] Man I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all here especially #LakerNation [...] and it’s my responsibility to put this sh*t on my back and keep it going!! [sic]"

He added: "Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me! I got US here! There’s so much more I want to say but just can’t right now because I can’t get through it! Until we meet again my brother!! [sic]"