Michael Jordanis among those mourning the tragic death ofKobe Bryant.
Bryantwas killedin a helicopter crash in Calabasas Sunday morning at age 41,TMZ Sportsfirst reported. His 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also onboard and killed.
Estee Portnoy, the manager and spokeswoman for Jordan, 56, released a statement on Twitter on behalf of the NBA legend.
“I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe’s and Gianna’s passing,” the statement began. “Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling. I loved Kobe – he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often and I will miss those conversations very much.”
“He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force,” the statement continued. “Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply – and took great pride in his daughter’s love for the game of basketball.”
Jordan’s statement concluded, “Yvette joins me in sending my deepest condolences to Vanessa, the Lakers organization, and basketball fans around the world.”
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Kobe Bryant.Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty
Bryant and Gianna were together onboard the private helicopter when it went down on Sunday, reps for the former basketball player toldTMZ Sports.
Emergency personnel responded but none of the nine people onboard survived, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said during a press conference.
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Sources told ESPN that the helicopterwas headed to a travel basketball game for Gianna.
source: people.com
