Former UH baseball player John Altobelli among those killed with Kobe Bryant in helicopter crash

PHOTOS: Athletes' reactions on social media to Kobe Bryant's passing Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli. PHOTOS: Athletes' reactions on social media to Kobe Bryant's passing Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli. Photo: Orange Coast College Photo: Orange Coast College Image 1 of / 66 Caption Close Former UH baseball player John Altobelli among those killed with Kobe Bryant in helicopter crash 1 / 66 Back to Gallery

Former University of Houston baseball player John Altobelli, his wife and daughter were among the nine people killed in the helicopter crash that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant and one of his daughters Sunday.

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TMZ, which first reported the crash, confirmed Altobelli was among those killed. Altobelli was the longtime head baseball coach at Orange Coast College. Altobelli's wife Keri and daughter Alyssa, a player on Bryant's basketball team, also were among those killed, per the Brewster Whitecaps, a Cape Cod League team Altobelli coached from 2012-14.

After two seasons at two different California junior colleges, Altobelli transferred to the University of Houston in 1983. Altobelli was a two-year team captain and starting outfielder for the Cougars. In his senior season, the team advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals, falling one win short of a College World Series appearance.

In 1987, Altobelli graduated from UH with a degree in physical education.

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UH baseball coach Todd Whitting said he was "absolutely devastated" by the deaths of the Altobellis.

"Not only was he a great supporter of the UH program but he was a great friend," Whitting said. "He had such a zest for life and was a tremendous friend to all of us that were close to him."

Through the years, Altobelli had sent players to the Cougars from his JUCO program. He is survived by daughter Alexis and a son, Red Sox scout J.J. Altobelli.

ESPN reported that Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were en route to a travel basketball game when the crash occurred.

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