NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were among nine killed in a helicopter crash Sunday in Calabasas, Calif.
The Federal Aviation Administration said a Sikorsky S-76B helicopter crashed Sunday morning under unknown circumstances in Calabasas, CA. The helicopter departed from John Wayne Airport at 9:06 a.m. PST, according to flight records. The crash occurred shortly before 10 a.m. PST. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said nine people died in the crash though he didn't officially identify the victims pending a notification of next of kin. Bryant, his daughter, and another parent and player were headed to Mamba Sports Academy, a facility that Bryant created and coached at, for a girls basketball game. Bryant coached Gianna's team, the Los Angeles Lady Mambas.
Bryant, an 18-time All-Star, was drafted in the first round (No. 13 overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft out of Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pa. He spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers and won five NBA championships. Bryant was a two-time NBA Finals MVP and was named the league's Most Valuable Player in 2008. Bryant announced his intent to retire from the league in 2015
Bryant married Vanessa Laine Bryant in 2001. The couple had four daughters together, aged 17, 13, three and seven months. They welcomed their fourth daughter, Capri Kobe Bryant, last June.
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