Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Verizon Center on December 2, 2015 in Washington, DC. Rob Carr | Getty Images

The news of Kobe Bryant's death continues to shock not only the National Basketball Association but the sports world in general. Athletes from New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady to boxing legend Mike Tyson shared their reactions to Bryant's passing on social media, joining many who were completely stunned and saddened by the passing of one of the world's most celebrated athletes. Bryant was confirmed dead after a helicopter carrying the former Los Angeles Lakers legend, his daughter Gianna, and seven other passengers crashed around 10 a.m. Sunday morning in Calabasas, near Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Bryant was 41. "The NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "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 with accomplishments that are legendary: five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals. "But 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," Silver's statement continued. "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. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Vanessa, and their family, the Lakers organization, and the entire sports world." TWEET Tyson Bryant, who played all 20 of his NBA seasons with the Lakers, shared his last social media message via Twitter when he congratulated current Lakers superstar LeBron James for passing him on the NBA's all-time scoring list. With 33,655 career points, James moved past Bryant (33,643) to place third. "Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother #33644," Bryant tweeted at 10:39 p.m. after the Lakers fell to the Philadelphia 76ers, 108-91.

Kobe Bryant #8 of the Western Conference All Stars talks with Michael Jordan #23 of the Eastern conference All Stars during the 2003 NBA All-Star Game at the Phillips Arena on February 9, 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia. Andrew D. Bernstein NBAE | Getty Images

A well-known mentor of Bryant's, NBA legend and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan, labeled Bryant "a little brother" after learning of his death. "We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much," Jordan said in a statement. "He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force. 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." As the world learned of Bryant's death, some teams honored him during early afternoon NBA games. The San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors each used their first possessions to purposely violate the 24-second shot clock as a tribute to Bryant, who wore No. 24 from 2007-2016, after switching over from the No. 8, which he wore since being drafted 13th overall by the Lakers in 1996. "We all feel a deep sense of loss for what he meant to all of us in so many ways," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich told reporters following Sunday's contest. "So many millions of people loved him for so many different reasons. It's just a tragic thing; there are no words that can describe how everybody feels about it. We all think about the family and the process that they are going to be going through now. That's where all of our thoughts should be."

Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant Ronald Martinez | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images