NBA superstars and celebrities are flooding social media with condolences after the death of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

The 18-time NBA all-star, who won five championships and was one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday. He was 41.

“IM SICK RIGHT NOW” former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Shaquille O’Neal shared on Twitter. “There are no words to express the pain I’m going through with this tragedy of losing my niece Gigi and my brother Kobe Bryant. I love you and you will be missed.”

The two teamed up in a combustible partnership to lead the Lakers to NBA titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

“He was like a little brother to me,” NBA legend Michael Jordan said in a statement. “He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force.”

In a statement, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Bryant “showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning,” adding that the league was “devastated” by the loss of Bryant and his daughter.

“Kobe was not only an icon in the sports arena, he was a man of the world and touched so many lives and communities in the most positive ways,” NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird said. “His star was continuing to rise every day and he knew no limits because of his many intellectual and creative talents and desire to give back to others — his passion for the game, for his family and for others was apparent in everything he accomplished.”

Bryant also looms large over the current generation of NBA players.

The Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs started their Sunday afternoon game with two 24-second shot-clock violation to honour Bryant, who wore the number 24.

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Others outside the basketball world paid tribute to the sports legend.

“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,” former U.S. President Barack Obama shared on Twitter.

“They doubted a kid could make it in the NBA and he proved them wrong. They doubted he could win a championship and he proved them wrong. They doubted he could make movies and he won an Oscar. Like all great artists, Kobe Bryant proved the doubters wrong. Rest in peace,” the Academy Awards Twitter account tweeted.

Brazilian footballer Neymar also dedicated his second goal during a soccer match in France to the basketball legend by walking in front of the camera holding up a two and a four in honour of his jersey number.

NFL superstar quarterback Tom Brady shared on Twitter, “We miss you already Kobe.”

In Nashville, Leafs centre Auston Matthews told the Star’s Kevin McGran: “The world lost an unbelievable person, an unbelievable idol. It’s really sad news … I was a pretty big fan when I was a kid. It was always fun watching those finals with Boston and just how passionate that he was, and the commitment that he put into it. He knew what it took to be a winner.”

Teammate Jake Muzzin knew Bryant a little from his days with the Los Angeles Kings: “We used to see him a little bit just through our practice facility and their practice facility and at the Staples Center. Everyone here is in a little bit in shock.”

Added Leaf Trevor Moore, who grew up in California: “I’m just heartbroken. I grew up watching Kobe. It’s just tragic. It’s horrible.”

With files from Kevin McGran and The Associated Press