SHENZHEN, CHINA - MARCH 16: Kobe Bryant during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Draw Ceremony on March 16, 2019 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Clicks Images/Getty Images)
LAKE MARY, Fla. - TMZ Sports reported Sunday that NBA legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
He was 41 years old.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office tweeted out:
RELATED: Gianna Bryant, 13, among victims of Calabasas helicopter crash: reports
A FOX News article wrote:
Bryant was selected in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac before the start of the 1996-97 season. It proved to be one of the most important trades in NBA history.
Bryant would help lead the Lakers to five NBA championships and was a part of one of the best NBA dynasties alongside Shaquille O’Neal. Bryant and O’Neal won three straight NBA titles from 1999 to 2002. He then won two rings with Pau Gasol in 2009 and 2010.
“The Black Mamba” wrapped up his playing career in 2016. He played his final game against the Utah Jazz and finished with an epic performance – 60 points, four rebounds and four assists.
He finished his career as an 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA team, 12-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection, two time NBA Finals MVP and the 2008 NBA MVP.
FOX News contributed to this article.
This story was written in Lake Mary, Florida.
RELATED: Kobe Bryant killed in helicopter crash in California, TMZ reports
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 10: Kobe Bryant attends The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 15: NBA legend Kobe Bryant takes part in a ceremony during the FIBA World Cup 2019 final match between Argentina and Spain at Beijing Wukesong Sport Arena on September 15, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Xinyu Cui/Getty I …
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 09: Vanessa Laine Bryant (L) and Kobe Bryant attend the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala Presented by Paul Mitchell at 3LABS on November 09, 2019 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on November 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezov …
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers has a moment on the sideline with former Laker Kobe Bryant in the second half during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, …
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 14: (L-R) Vanessa Laine Bryant and Kobe Bryant attend Sean Combs 50th Birthday Bash presented by Ciroc Vodka on December 14, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Sean Combs)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 29: Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovs …
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 29: (L-R) Rich Paul, Laviska Shenault Jr., Gianna Bryant and Kobe Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, Califo …