• Former President Barack Obama paid tribute to NBA star Kobe Bryant after he died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday
• The crash in Calabasas also claimed Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others
• Athletes including Novak Djokovic, Tiger Woods, Shaquille O'Neal, Earvin Magic Johnson and Tristan Thompson also paid tribute to the NBA great
• Celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Reese Witherspoon, John Legend, Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Kimmel and Kim Kardashian shared condolences
Former President Barack Obama led tributes to NBA star Kobe Bryant after he died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday, which also claimed his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.
Obama tweeted that Bryant was 'just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act', just hours after the retired Los Angeles Lakers player's Sikorsky S-76 crashed in Calabasas about 10am.
US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO BRYANT, WRITING: 'KOBE BRYANT, DESPITE BEING ONE OF THE TRULY GREAT BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF ALL TIME, WAS JUST GETTING STARTED IN LIFE ... HE LOVED HIS FAMILY SO MUCH, AND HAD SUCH STRONG PASSION FOR THE FUTURE.' 'THE LOSS OF HIS BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, GIANNA, MAKES THIS MOMENT EVEN MORE DEVASTATING....' TRUMP ADDED. 'MELANIA AND I SEND OUR WARMEST CONDOLENCES TO VANESSA AND THE WONDERFUL BRYANT FAMILY. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALL!'
Kobe and Gianna Bryant along with all seven others on board, including sports coaches, two teenage girls, parents and the pilot, died when the helicopter struck the hillside and burst into flames.
Obama wrote: '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 (his wife) and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.'
Obama tweeted that Bryant was 'just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act', just hours after the retired Los Angeles Lakers player's Sikorsky S-76 crashed in Calabasas about 10am.
US President Donald Trump also paid tribute to Bryant, writing: 'Kobe Bryant, despite being one of the truly great basketball players of all time, was just getting started in life ... He loved his family so much, and had such strong passion for the future.'
'The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even more devastating....' Trump added.
'Melania and I send our warmest condolences to Vanessa and the wonderful Bryant family. May God be with you all!'
Soccer star David Beckham, who saw out his career playing for LA Galaxy, shared a touching photograph of him with Bryant on the court.
'This was one special athlete, husband, father and friend. Having to write these words is hard enough but also knowing we have lost an amazing human being and his beautiful and talented daughter Gianna is heartbreaking.' Beckham wrote on Instagram.
'My family's love and prayers go out to Vanessa and the girls, to Kobe's basketball family, and of course to the families of those who were tragically lost with him yesterday.'
The president later followed up with similar comments about Bryant
Trump added to his second tweet that, 'Melania and I send our warmest condolences to Vanessa and the wonderful Bryant family. May God be with you all!'
Earvin Magic Johnson tweeted a moving statement on his and his wife Cookie's behalf, but admitted his mind was 'racing' as he wrote his grief-stricken words.
'I'm in disbelief and have been crying all morning over this devastating news that Kobe and his young daughter, Gigi have passed away in a helicopter crash,' the retired NBA legend wrote, referring to Gianna as 'Gigi'.
'Cookie and I are heartbroken,' Johnson said about Bryant's loss. 'I love him, his family and what he stood for on the court and off the court'.
Shaquille O'Neal, who also had played for the Lakers, tweeted, '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.'
Michael Jordan released a statement saying he would miss speaking with Bryant.
'I will miss those conversations very much,' the NBA legend said about Bryant. 'He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force'.
The crash came only hours after Bryant was passed by current Lakers star LeBron James for third on the all-time NBA scoring list in a Saturday game at Philadelphia.
Bryant's final post on social media had been a tweet congratulating James.
'Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames,' Bryant wrote. 'Much respect my brother #33644.'
David Beckham posted pictures of Bryant to his Instagram account, writing: 'This was one special athlete, husband, father and friend. Having to write these words is hard enough but also knowing we have lost an amazing human being and his beautiful and talented daughter Gianna is heartbreaking'
Magic Johnson shared a moving tribute to his friend Kobe Bryant on Sunday
'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,' Shaquille O'Neal tweeted
The PGA tweeted video footage of Tiger woods being interviewed just moments after he learned of Bryant's passing. 'It's a shocker to everyone. I'm unbelievably sad ... one of the more tragic days. For me, reality is just setting in,' a visibly shaken Woods says in the footage
NBA legend Michael Jordan released a statement saying he would miss speaking with Bryant. 'I will miss those conversations very much,' the NBA legend said about Bryant. 'He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force'
Tristan Thompson was quick to tweet that 'I hope this isn't true man!!' upon hearing the news that the 41-year-old was one of five people killed in the crash
Golfer Tiger Woods learned the news of his friend Bryant's death as he came off the 18th hole at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego, moments before being interviewed by CBS.
'It's a shocker to everyone. I'm unbelievably sad ... one of the more tragic days. For me, reality is just setting in,' a visibly shaken Woods says in the footage, which was also tweeted by the PGA Tour.
Tennis players Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick also paid tribute to the sporting giant.
Djokovic shared a picture with Bryant, writing: 'My heart truly mourns today. Kobe was a great mentor and friend to me.'
Meanwhile Roddick shared a video of Bryant appearing to coach his daughter Gianna on the sidelines of basketball game.
'I've admired Kobe from afar for so long.' Roddick wrote. 'Nobody is invincible in this life. Love harder. Be better. Never punt on a day. Kobe didn't.'
Soccer star Didier Drogba also shared photos alongside Bryant and echoed the sentiments of Djokovic.
'Thank you for all the advices and stories we shared.' The former Chelsea ace wrote. 'Man you are a true Champion and a great Man. May you and your lovely daughter rest in heaven.'
Djokovic shared a picture with Bryant, writing: 'My heart truly mourns today. Kobe was a great mentor and friend to me.'
Credit to Source: Daily Mail UK
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