Kobe Bryant's former agent has revealed that the basketball player's final text, sent shortly before his death in a helicopter crash, was aimed at securing an internship for the daughter of a friend.

Speaking at a celebration of the the lives of Bryant and his daughter Gianna in Los Angeles, Rob Pelinka said: "His last human act was heroic."

Mr Pelinka, general manager of the LA Lakers, said the player was trying to secure an internship with a baseball agency for the daughter of John Altobelli, one of nine people to die in the 26 January crash that also killed Kobe and Gianna.

He told an audience of the Bryants' friends, family, colleagues and admirers at the Staples Center: "Kobe and I talked or texted every single day because that is what best friends do.

"Kobe vouched for the girl's character, intellect, and work ethic. He clearly wanted to champion a bright future for her.

Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Show all 14 1 /14 Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life People arrive to attend the "Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant" service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles AFP via Getty Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Vanessa Bryant speaks during The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center Getty Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Fans gather near the Staples Center AP Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Former Los Angeles Lakers' Magic Johnson hugs Kobe Bryant's mother Pam AP Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Mourners arrive EPA Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life TV personality Jimmy Kimmel Getty Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Fans line up to get into the Staples Center to attend a public memorial for former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, in Los Angeles AP Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Joe Bryant and former Los Angeles Lakers' Derek Fisher arrive for a celebration of life AP Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Alyssa Quevedo and her husband Emmanuel take a selfie in front of a mural of Kobe Bryant AP Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Mourners are seated before paying their respect EPA Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Dedmond Hewlett Jr., bottom, holds his son Dedmond Hewlett III, age 4, outside the Staples Center before a public memorial for former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, in Los Angeles, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) Kelvin Kuo AP Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Former american basketball player Lamar Odom attends the public memorial Reuters Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Former Los Angeles Lakers watch during a celebration of life for Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna AP Kobe and Gianna Bryant: A celebration of life Kobe Bryant's parents Joe and Pam Bryant arrive AP

"A handful of minutes later, Kobe and Gianna and seven other beautiful souls ascended into heaven. Kobe had been texting me from the helicopter."

He added: "Kobe's last human act was heroic."

Mr Pelinka was godfather to Gianna and described the 13-year-old as "a combination of dignity and grace with a sense of humor".

Earlier Bryant's wife Vanessa gave a moving tribute to her late husband and daughter. She said: "He isn’t going to be able to walk our girls down the aisle or spin me around on the dance floor but I want my girls to know the amazing man, husband and father he was."