UPDATE: Michael Jordan has issued a statement on the loss of Kobe Bryant.

Statement from Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/oI7w6e7HLI — Estee Portnoy (@esteep) January 26, 2020

UPDATE: The Los Angeles County Sheriff has held a press conference about the crash that left basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his teen daughter dead.

You can see it yourself below. Officials would not identify any of the people on board, but did say a manifest listed eight passengers and the pilot, for a total of nine souls on board. There were no survivors.

UPDATE: Media outlets are now reporting that Kobe Bryant's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was on board the helicopter when it crashed. There were no survivors, officials say.

UPDATE: Tributes began to pour in this afternoon as soon as it was officially confirmed that basketball legend Kobe Bryant had died in a helicopter crash at the age of 41.

Last night, LeBron James passed Bryant on the all-time scoring list. Bryant's last tweet was about that:

Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644 — Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020

Many of the tributes on social media included this video of Bryant's farewell to the fans of the only NBA team he ever played for:



Here are some of the tributes posted on social media:

"Anyone who loves the game of basketball, you loved Kobe Bryant" pic.twitter.com/hD0KYvVyrZ — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) January 26, 2020

I’m stunned. Words can’t even come close to describing it. Just an incredibly sad and tragic day. — Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 26, 2020

Here's what Saints Quarterback Drew Brees had to say:

"He inspired so many people,"



Drew Brees on Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/OYnKAAyS0S — New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 26, 2020

This is from the mayor of Los Angeles:

Kobe Bryant was a giant who inspired, amazed, and thrilled people everywhere with his incomparable skill on the court — and awed us with his intellect and humility as a father, husband, creative genius, and ambassador for the game he loved. pic.twitter.com/hkb0lbRwie — Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) January 26, 2020

My💔Goes Out To Kobe’s Family,Friends,Fans. It’s SO HARD To Deal With The Death Of a GREAT STAR,Because We Feel As If We Knew Them Personally.Kobe Bryant Was a GREAT ATHLETE,& All Of America Will Feel His Loss.

The 🌎 Has Lost a Bright Light ✨🌟✨. — Cher (@cher) January 26, 2020

Fans have begun to gather outside the Staples Center where Bryant played for the Lakers:

Memorial outside of Staples Center has started for Kobe Bryant



Via @Chiney321 pic.twitter.com/0bedI410Dl — NBA RETWEET (@RTNBA) January 26, 2020

There was a moment of silence for him at an NBA game:

The Rockets & Nuggets hold a moment of silence for Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/5LV9ddyi42 — NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2020

The Los Angeles Times has dropped their paywall for all stories about Bryant:

The Rockets & Nuggets hold a moment of silence for Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/5LV9ddyi42 — NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2020

Can’t be true.

Just can’t be.

Truly truly horrific.



Rest In Peace Kobe. — JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 26, 2020

Here's a tweet from the teammate many associate most with Bryant:

There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1 — SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020

President Obama also tweeted:

Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day. — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020

ORIGINAL STORY:

Kobe Bryant died in a helicoper crash in Calabasas Sunday morning ... TMZ Sports is reporting

Bryant was traveling with at least three other people in his private helicopter when it went down. A fire broke out. Emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived. Five people are confirmed dead. We're told Vanessa Bryant was not among those on board, TMZ reports.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

