LA Clippers head coach Doc Rivers struggled to get his words out in an interview about the death of Kobe Bryant ahead of his side's game with Orlando Magic.
NBA legend Bryant was killed on Sunday when his helicopter crashed in California - with eight other people also perishing in the incident including Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
Rivers was a friend of Bryant and chatted him for 45 minutes at a function recently, where they reminisced of their clashes against each other.
Basketball Veteran Rivers who coached Magic, Boston Clippers and the Clippers against Bryant, is due to manage his side later this evening.
But before the match he spoke to reporters about Bryant, who died aged 41, and could barely speak as he visibly weeped.
Having sobbed for around 20 seconds he attempted to get his words out but failed before composing himself.
"I just don't have a lot to say. The news is just devastating to everybody who knew him a long time.
"He means a lot to me. he was such a great opponant. It is what you want in sports. He had that DNA that very few athletes have - just the Tiger Woods and Michael Jordans.
"I got to know him more since he retired.
"This is a tough one. We had to go play. The news is just so devastating for Vanessa and his family. There are just so many people he touched.
"Looking at my young players and seeing how emotional they are and they didn't even know him. It just shows you how far his reach was.
"It is shocking news for all of us. I have to go speak to the team before the game and tell them to play."
At which point, Rivers broke down into sobbing again, before added: "This is a great loss for the league. I thought he had so much more to do. I had never seen him happier.
"Everyone is a Lakers fan right now. We are all Lakers today."
