Social media was stunned by the report of a helicopter crash resulting in the death of basketball icon Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in Calabasas, California.
Across the NBA as games occurred players would take a 24-second shot clock violation, followed by an 8-second violation to honor him by both of his numbers. Specific tributes would also occur on social media.
A run of tributes to The Black Mamba is available below.
Pat Riley on Kobe: pic.twitter.com/S2y33UQoJw
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 27, 2020
This is one of those days everyone will remember where they were when we lost a legend. Kobe an amazing basketball player but even better husband, father, friend, MENTOR. It doesn’t seem real. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and families.
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) January 27, 2020
“We all feel a deep sense of loss for what he meant to all of us in so many ways.”
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2020
Coach Pop on Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/DFYBJfNklh
The game has lost a real champion. Our thoughts & prayers go out to the Bryant family & the families of those lost today. pic.twitter.com/LLLBMJCUUm
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) January 26, 2020
NBPA Statement on the passing of Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/iWDBcV7c2N
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) January 26, 2020
𝟐𝟒 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐨. 𝟐𝟒
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 26, 2020
𝟖 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐨. 𝟖#RIPMAMBA pic.twitter.com/4gFefGCFei
Remarkable moment to start the Raptors-Spurs game. pic.twitter.com/thmt9ZU1Ra
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 26, 2020
P.J. Tucker wearing Kobe’s today with a written message pic.twitter.com/TkXJE2rDUG
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) January 26, 2020
Kobe was truly larger than life, a legend. May he and all those who lost their lives today rest in peace. Love and condolences to his family. LA will never be the same.
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) January 26, 2020
We miss you already Kobe ❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 26, 2020
Sad 😞 Day Love u Kobe!! 🙏🏾Gigi pic.twitter.com/ojBXnW9ipH
— QuavoYRN (@QuavoStuntin) January 26, 2020
Kobe was a real life super hero on that court & I’m sure he was one to his family. Sending love and prayers to them. This is heartbreaking.
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) January 26, 2020
Long live the Mamba and Gianna. I pray God blesses his wife and family with divine comfort. This is beyond devastating. 🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Metro Boomin (@MetroBoomin) January 26, 2020
😢😢😢😢😢 Kobe this cant be real!!!
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) January 26, 2020
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.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/9EZuwk8wrV
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) January 26, 2020
This is not real right now
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 26, 2020
Man I don’t even know where to start😭😭 I started playing ball because of KOBE after watching the 2010 finals. I had never watched ball before that and that finals was the turning point of my life. I WANTED TO BE LIKE KOBE. I’m so FREAKING SAD right now!!!!
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 26, 2020
RIP LEGEND
Nooooooooooo God please No!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020
Laker Nation, the game of basketball & our city, will never be the same without Kobe. Cookie & I are praying for Vanessa, his beautiful daughters Natalia, Bianka & Capri, as well as his parents Joe & Pam & his sisters. We will always be here for the Bryant family. pic.twitter.com/WWxmtEAJqZ
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. His baby girl Gigi was born on the same day as my youngest daughter Me’Arah. pic.twitter.com/BHBPN5Wq8V
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020