CALABASAS, California (FOX 2) – La leyenda de la NBA Kobe Bryant murió en un accidente de helicóptero en Calabasas, California, el domingo por la mañana, según TMZ.
TMZ Sports informa que Kobe viajaba con otras cuatro personas en su helicóptero privado cuando se estrelló en Calabasas.
TMZ dijo que la esposa de Kobe, Vanessa, no estaba entre los que estaban a bordo.
La Administración Federal de Aviación dijo a Fox News que el helicóptero Sikorsky S-76 se estrelló en «circunstancias desconocidas».
La FAA dijo que las autoridades locales le informaron que había cinco personas a bordo en ese momento. La causa del choque está bajo investigación.
La muerte de Kobe llega solo horas después de que LeBron James pasara su récord de la NBA por la mayor cantidad de puntos anotados en una carrera. Envió un tweet el sábado por la noche felicitando a James por la hazaña.
Originally from Philadelphia, Kobe was drafted straight out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 1996 draft. The Hornets traded him to the Lakers, where he played until he retired in 2016.
In the 20 years in the NBA, he won 5 NBA Finals including being named Finals MVP twice. He also was voted to the All Star team 18 times and scored 81 points in one game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006. That was the second-highest point total in NBA history behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points.
Kobe also won two Gold Medals in the Olympics, in 2008 and 2012.
TMZ reports that Kobe often used a helicopter to travel and, when he played for the Lakers, he would fly from his home in Newport Beach, Calif., to the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in a helicopter.
Kobe is survived by his wife Vanessa, and their four daughters — Gianna, Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri.
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant(L) and Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan(R) talk during a free-throw attempt during the fourth quarter 17 December at the United Center in Chicago. Bryant, who is 19 and bypassed college bExpand
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 10: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers backs in on LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Staples Center on March 10, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christian PeterExpand
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This story was written in Southfield, Mich.