MIAMI _ The basketball community, sporting realm, nation and world were left shocked, in prayer and in mourning after NBA icon Kobe Bryant was killed Sunday in a helicopter crash just outside of Los Angeles.
The NBA confirmed the death in a memo to its employees.
The Los Angeles Sheriff's County confirmed Sunday afternoon that nine people had died in the crash that had no survivors. TMZ and other outlets reported that Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna was among the victims.
In the wake of the news that the retired Los Angeles Lakers superstar was dead at age 41 the Miami Heat issued a statement.
"Our hearts are heavy with extreme sadness at this time," it read. "We extend our deepest prayers, thoughts and condolences to the family of Kobe Bryant and those affected in today's tragedy."
Bryant frequently traveled by helicopter, including to Lakers games during his career.
Those who played alongside, against or simply marveled at skills and stardom of the 6-foot-6 guard took to social media and other outlets to emote, including those with Heat and South Florida ties.
"Tragic," Heat owner Micky Arison posted. "RIP Kobe."
"Nooooooooooo God please No!" Heat icon Dwyane Wade, who had grown close to Bryant, posted.
"There's no words to express the pain I'm going through," former Heat center and former Bryant Lakers championship teammate Shaquille O'Neal posted. "I love you brother, and you will be missed."
"The respect I have for you as a man, a competitor and a leader are unmatched," Heat captain Udonis Haslem posted. "Although I didn't have a personal relationship with you, I watched the impact you had on the young greats coming behind you firsthand. How you mentored them. How you challenged them. But you never hated on them as a generation. Only encouraged them to not settle for mediocrity but to push for greatness as you did every day."
"I am so sad at the tragic news today," former Heat forward and current team executive Shane Battier posted. "Kobe was such a huge part of my career and my basketball life as a measuring stick, as an adversary, as a role model of basketball greatness. No one pushed me more. No one. I'm appreciative of our battles, Kobe, I am sad I will never get the chance to tell you that in person. RIP."
"That's my brother. That was my brother," former Heat guard Gary Payton and former Bryant teammate with the Lakers said. "Shocked right now. He became like a little brother to me."
"It's too soon, way too soon," former Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said on NBA TV.
"Just try and think of all the joy he brought," former Heat guard and Bryant Lakers teammate Brian Shaw reflected, while in tears during that NBA TV broadcast. "It was a blessing to have had him."
"Haven't shed tears since lil bro passed away," Heat guard Dion Waiters posted. "I can't even imagine this type of pain."
"He seems invincible. Sad day," Heat center Meyers Leonard posted.
Leonard later also posted, "I had the honor to shake Kobe's hand before my first ever NBA game. The man was a legend and that is a moment I will never forget. Prayers to his family and friends. Life is fragile."
"Blessed to compete against one of the greatest to ever compete. So sad hearing the tragic news. Praying for everyone involved, RIP," Heat center Kelly Olynyk offered.
"Peace and power to the Bryant family, and basketball lovers around the world. R.I.P," was posted by Heat guard Goran Dragic.
"Can't be true ... just can't be," was the reaction of Heat forward Justise Winslow.
"No 8," was the post of Heat guard Tyler Herro, for one of the numbers worn by Bryant.
"No words, really," former Heat coach Alvin Gentry, now coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, said, "just really a sad, sad day for the NBA."
"Nah, this can't be real," former Heat forward Josh Richardson posted.
"Na man I'm not believing Bean is gone ... ... no way," was offered by former Heat guard Mario Chalmers.
"Kobe you were more than basketball," former Heat guard Tyler Johnson posted. "You were the greatest gladiator I have ever seen. Greatness personified. So much more knowledge to give. But enough to last me this lifetime."
Bryant played his entire 20-season NBA career with the Lakers, retiring in 2016 as a five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, 18-time All-Star and the all-time leading scorer in Lakers history.
He also won Olympic gold for the United States in the 2008 and '12 Olympics.
Just Saturday night, Lakers forward LeBron James passed Bryant for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list, with Bryant, just hours before his death, congratulating the former Heat forward.
In the wake of moving past Bryant on the scoring list, in what ultimately turned into somewhat of a eulogy, James spoke in a reverential tone of Bryant.
"It's another guy that I looked up to when I was in grade school and high school," James said. "Seeing him come straight out of high school, he is someone that I used as inspiration. It was like, wow. Seeing a kid, 17 years old, come into the NBA and trying to make an impact on a franchise, I used it as motivation."
Bryant is survived by his wife Vanessa and their three other daughters, Natalia, Bianca and newborn Capri.
NBA games continued Sunday, with the Lakers next scheduled to play Tuesday, against the Los Angeles Clippers.
During the start of the game between the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors, each team held the ball for a 24-second violation, with Bryant having worn No. 24 during the second part of his career.
"He will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna."
Bryant is on the 2020 ballot for enshrinement into the Basketball Hall of Fame, with that formality to be announced at the NCAA Final Four and posthumous enshrinement to follow this summer in Springfield, Mass., in a class the likely will include former Heat center Chris Bosh.
In 2018, Bryant won an Oscar along with director Glen Keane for the animated short film "Dear Basketball."
