Former NBA player Kobe Bryant has died in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, California in the United States, officials said.

Bryant, 41, was considered one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He retired in 2016 as the third-leading scorer in NBA history, finishing 20 years with the Lakers as a prolific scorer with a sublime all-around game and a relentless competitive ethic.

Bryant had one of the greatest careers in recent NBA history and became one of the game's most popular players as the face of the 16-time NBA champion Lakers franchise.

He was the league's Most Valued Player in 2008 and a two-time NBA scoring champion.

Bryant won five NBA championship rings with the Lakers and an 18-times NBA All-Star who wore the number 24 during his career with the team.