LOS ANGELES: NBA legend Kobe Bryant died on Sunday when a helicopter he was riding in crashed and burst into flames in thick fog, killing all nine people on board including his teenage daughter and plunging legions of fans around the world into mourning.
Bryant, 41, was travelling with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other passengers and crew when their Sikorsky S-76 helicopter slammed into a rugged hillside in Calabasas, west of Los Angeles. There were no survivors.
Bryant, a five-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist, is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history, an iconic figure who became one of the faces of his sport during a glittering two-decade career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dozens of firefighters and paramedics battled across steep terrain to reach the flaming wreckage at the crash site but found no survivors, officials said.
The National Transportation Safety Board said an 18-strong team of investigators would be sent to California to probe the causes of the crash.
Bryant's death sent shockwaves throughout the world, with basketball officials and stars stunned by the news.
"The NBA family is devastated," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. "For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning.
"He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game."
Former Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson wrote on Twitter: "Laker Nation, the game of basketball & our city, will never be the same without Kobe."
Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan said Bryant was "like a little brother" to him.
"Words can't describe the pain I'm feeling," Jordan said. "We used to talk often and I will miss those conversations very much."
Six-time NBA champion Jordan said Bryant would be remembered as one of the game's greatest.
Jordan said. "I loved Kobe -- he was like a little brother to me."
That sentiment was echoed by Shaquille O'Neal -- who won three NBA titles and also famously feuded with Bryant in Los Angeles.
Tributes pour in
The grief was felt beyond the basketball court.
"The world lost a legend today, but the impact and legacy he leaves behind will last forever," Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao -- an avid basketball fan -- tweeted.
Brazilian footballer Neymar dedicated his second goal in Paris Saint-Germain's 2-0 victory at Lille to Bryant, calling his death "deeply saddening for the world of sport and for all of us -- not just for basketball fans but for everything he did for sport."
Golf superstar Tiger Woods, whose professional career started the same year as Bryant's, recalled competitive qualities that echo those of Woods himself.
"The fire," Woods said of what he most remembered of Bryant. "He burned so competitively hot. He had such a desire to win. He brought it every night.
"Any time he was in the game he would take on their best player and shut him down for 40 minutes. I think that's one of the best things about him his whole career."
American football star Tom Brady wrote simply: "We miss you already Kobe."
At the Australian Open in Melbourne, reigning men's champion Novak Djokovic led the tennis world in mourning for "mentor" Bryant.
Djokovic had spoken fondly of his relationship with the former Los Angeles Laker in an interview at the weekend and the 16-time Grand Slam champion signed off his tweet of condolence with the words: "RIP my friend".
Djokovic's great rival Rafa Nadal also joined a cavalcade of top players in expressing his condolences, declaring his "shock" at the news of the death.
Nick Kyrgios, a massive NBA fan, wore a Lakers jersey ahead of his match against Nadal yesterday.
Tributes to Bryant flooded in from former US presidents, pop stars and athletes from different sports, a sign of how the man known as the "Black Mamba" had transcended basketball.
US President Donald Trump was among the first to take to Twitter to express his shock.
"Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news!" tweeted Trump.
Former US president Barack Obama tweeted: "Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act."
Shocked fans
At the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, crowds of shocked fans gathered to pay tribute as the venue which witnessed many of Bryant's career highlights hosted the music industry's Grammy Awards.
Hundreds, many wearing purple and gold Lakers shirts, gathered around a makeshift memorial to place flowers and candles for their hero.
Los Angeles City Hall was lit up in purple and gold to honour Bryant and the Grammys got under way with a somber tribute from singer Alicia Keys.
"To be honest with you, we're all feeling crazy sadness right now," Keys told the audience. "Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero. And we're literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built."
In New York, Madison Square Garden was lit up in purple and gold alongside a giant image of Bryant captioned: "Kobe Bryant, 1978-2020."
The crash came only hours after Bryant was passed by current Lakers star LeBron James for third on the all-time NBA scoring list in a Saturday game at Philadelphia.
Bryant's final post on social media had been a tweet congratulating James on surpassing him.
"Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames," Bryant wrote. "Much respect my brother #33644."