Los Angeles Laker great Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna are among nine people who have been killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
41-year-old Kobe was reportedly travelling with his daughter - nicknamed Gigi - to a basketball game when it downed and burst into flames. According to the LA Country Sheriff there were no survivors.
There was reaction from across America to Kobe Bryant's tragic and untimely death:ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski took to Twitter to write:
"Sources: Kobe Bryant was on his way to a travel basketball game with his daughter Gianna when the helicopter crashed. Those aboard the helicopter also included another player and parent."
Moments of silence were observed across basketball games in the United States, while NBA teams staged their own moving tributes to the legendary shooting guard during contests.
And during last night's Grammy awards ceremony, which was coincidentally hosted in Staples Center, the Lakers' home arena, Bryant was remembered and honoured throughout the show.
Alicia Keys, hosting the ceremony, said;
"We're all feeling crazy sadness right now.
"Because earlier today Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero. We're literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built."
And per BuzzFeed, the Grammys found another quiet, beautiful way of paying tribute to Kobe. A spotlight was reportedly kept shining on the all-time great guard's two retired jerseys that hang in the rafters of Staples Center.
Meanwhile, the NBA issued a statement, stating that it was "devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna".
"For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning,"
And the Grammys confirmed that his jerseys would stay illuminated for the entire show, writing;
"Host Alicia Keys addressed the tragedy with grace and class, noting that the Staples Center is the home of many memories created by Bryant during his time on the Los Angeles Lakers. His two retired Lakers jerseys will be illuminated during the show’s entirely."
Per Grammy.com, Alicia Keys said of the Bryant family;
"Kobe and his daughter Gianna, and all of those that have been tragically lost today are in our spirits, in our hearts and our prayers today.... share our strength and our support with their families.
"We never imagined in a million years we would have to start the show like this... [Music is] the most healing thing in the world, so let’s get some healing going on right now."
Our thoughts are with the Bryant family.
