The Hardest-Working Paper in America | 
Friday, September 22, 2023
NBA Sports

World reacts to Kobe Bryant’s death: ‘RIP LEGEND’

Athletes from across the world have reacted to the death of former NBA star Kobe Bryant at age 41.

By  Satchel Price
   
SHARE World reacts to Kobe Bryant’s death: ‘RIP LEGEND’
bx221_0edf_9.jpg

A fan reacts to the news that former NBA player Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash, as he stands outside the Staples Center.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Kobe Bryant, one of the most important and influential athletes of his generation, died Sunday in a helicopter crash in California. An 18-time All-Star and five-time NBA champion, he made an indelible impact on athletes across the planet with his passion both on and off the court.

As news of Bryant’s death at age 41 spread across the sports world, there was an outpouring of shock, sadness, respect and admiration for the former Laker. At Staples Center, fans have already assembled to create a memorial in his honor. Athletes in other sports, such as Tom Brady and CC Sabathia, have shared their thoughts.

President Donald Trump called it “terrible news.”

Former President Barack Obama sent his love and prayers to the Bryant family on an “unthinkable day.”

Here’s a look at how his peers in basketball have reacted to the heartbreaking news:

Former NBA players and legends

Current NBA stars

Outside the NBA world

Kobe Bryant Photo Gallery

Kobe_01.jpg
In this photo taken on November 18, 2009 Basketball player Kobe Bryant arrives for the 2009 “Men Of The Year” party at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, California. | ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
1 of 37
Kobe_02.jpg
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers address the media during the post game news conference after scoring 60 point in his final NBA game at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. | ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
2 of 37
Kobe_03.jpg
Kobe Bryant speaks to the media at a press conference before his #8 and #24 jerseys are retired by the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. | Harry How/Getty Images
3 of 37
Kobe_04.jpg
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant seems to be in a good mood near the end of the game as he scored 42 points in the Lakers 96-87 win over the Bulls. | Tom Cruze/Sun-Times
4 of 37
Kobe_05.jpg
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Luol Deng #9 of the Chicago Bulls in the first quarter during the game on November 19, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. | Harry How/Getty Images
5 of 37
Kobe_06.jpg
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball with his left hand in the lane in the third quarter against the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. | Harry How/Getty Images
6 of 37
Kobe_07.jpg
In this photo taken on July 21, 2009 US Baskeball player Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers waves to fans as he arrives for a charity event as part of his Asian tour in Manila. | TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images
7 of 37
Kobe_08.jpg
Vanessa Bryant, from left, Kobe Bryant, Natalia Bryant and Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant at the world premiere of “A Wrinkle in Time” in Los Angeles. | Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
8 of 37
Kobe_09.jpg
Kobe Bryant, 17, jokes with the media as he holds his Los Angeles Lakers jersey during a news conference at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif. | AP Photo/Susan Sterner
9 of 37
Kobe_10.jpg
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates victory following Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. | EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images
10 of 37
Kobe_11.jpg
In this photo taken on June 17, 2009 Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant celebrates during a victory parade at the Coliseum stadium in Los Angeles after defeating the Orlando Magic in the NBA final series. | MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images
11 of 37
Kobe_12.jpg
In this photo taken on June 14, 2009 Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles on court in the closing moments of Game 5 in the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. | STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images
12 of 37
Kobe_13.jpg
In this photo taken on June 16, 2009 Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates on court moments before the end of Game 5 in the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. | EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images
13 of 37
Kobe_14.jpg
In this photo taken on June 07, 2009 Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after winning game two of the NBA finals against the Orlando Magic at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. | MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images
14 of 37
Kobe_15.jpg
In this photo taken on August 24, 2008 (L to R) USA’s Kobe Bryant and USA’s Dwyane Wade bite their medals on the podium after the men’s basketball gold medal match of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Olympic basketball Arena in Beijing | FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images
15 of 37
Kobe_16.jpg
In this photo taken on August 24, 2008 USA’s Kobe Bryant celebrates at the end of the men’s basketball gold medal match Spain against The US of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Olympic basketball Arena in Beijing. | FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images
16 of 37
Kobe_17.jpg
In this photo taken on June 17, 2010 Los Angeles Lakers MVP Kobe Bryant holds the team and MVP trophies after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals to clinch the Championship at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. | PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images
17 of 37
Kobe_18.jpg
Kobe Bryant (L) of the LA Lakers is ensnared in heavy traffic with J.J. Barea (C) and Luke Ridnour (R) of the Minnesota Timberwolves during their NBA game in Los Angeles, California. | FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
18 of 37
Kobe_19.jpg
Michael Jordan keeps a close guard on kobe Bryant during Wednesday night game action against the Lakers.. | JON SALL/SUN-TIMES
19 of 37
Kobe_20.jpg
12/17/97 Bulls Vs Lakers- Chicago Bulls No. 23 Michael Jordan and Los Angeles Lakers No. 8 Kobe Bryant battle in the first half. | Jon Sall/Sun-Times
20 of 37
Kobe_21.jpg
12-15-2009----Chicago Bulls host the LA Lakers—Bulls forward John Salmons defends Lakers guard Kobe Bryant as he drives to the basket in the 2nd quarter. | Tom Cruze/Sun-Times
21 of 37
Kobe_22.jpg
12-15-2009----Chicago Bulls host the LA Lakers—Bulls forward Joakim Noah gets a hand in the face of Lakers guard Kobe Bryant as he passes in the lane in the 2nd quarter. | Tom Cruze/Sun-Times
22 of 37
Kobe_23.jpg
12-15-2009----Chicago Bulls host the LA Lakers—Bulls forward John Salmons defends Lakers guard Kobe Bryant as he drives to the basket in the 2nd quarter. | Tom Cruze/Sun-Times
23 of 37
Kobe_24.jpg
12-15-2009----Chicago Bulls host the LA Lakers—Bulls forward Joakim Noah redirects a shot attempt by Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in the 3rd quarter | Tom Cruze/Sun-Times
24 of 37
Kobe_25.jpg
12-15-2009----Chicago Bulls host the LA Lakers—Bulls forward Joakim Noah spreads his arms as he defends against Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in the 2nd half. | Tom Cruze/Sun-Times
25 of 37
Kobe_26.jpg
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) puts up a shot against Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13), forward Luol Deng (9), guard Ronnie Brewer (11) and forward Taj Gibson as time expires in the second half of their NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, in Los Angeles. Bryant’s shot was blocked and the Bulls won 88-87. | AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
26 of 37
Kobe_29.jpg
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant passes the ball in the first quarter of the Chicago Bulls-Los Angeles Lakers NBA game Monday January 21, 2013 at the United Center. | Tom Cruze/Sun-Times
27 of 37
Kobe_30.jpg
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant drives on Bulls center Nazr Mohammed in the second half of the Chicago Bulls 95-83 win over the Los Angeles Lakers Monday January 21, 2013 at the United Center. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times
28 of 37
Kobe_31.jpg
Tom Cruze~Sun-Times
29 of 37
Kobe_32.jpg
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant, left, drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng during the second half of their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. The Lakers won 98-91. | AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
30 of 37
Kobe_33.jpg
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, tries to block a pass to Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, in Los Angeles. | AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
31 of 37
Kobe_35.jpg
Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose exchange words after the end of their NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, in Chicago. The Lakers defeated the Bulls 96-87. | AP Photo/Jim Prisching
32 of 37
Kobe_36.jpg
Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant drives around the Chicago Bulls’ Joakim Noah during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, in Chicago. | AP Photo/Jim Prisching
33 of 37
Kobe_37.jpg
Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan, playing for the East All-Stars, battles Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant for possession of the ball during the NBA All-Star game at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Feb. 8, 1998. Orlando Magic’s Anfernee Hardaway watches at right. | AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
34 of 37
Kobe_38.jpg
Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan, playing for the East All-Stars, drives in between Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (8) and Utah Jazz’ Karl Malone, right, during the second half of the NBA All-Star game at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Feb. 8, 1998. Atlanta Hawks’ Dikembe Mutombo watches at left. Jordan was selected as the games Most Valuable Player. | AP Photo/Mark Lennihan
35 of 37
Kobe_39.jpg
Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, playing for the West All-Stars, is blocked by Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan during the NBA All-Star game at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Feb. 8, 1998. The East beat the West All-Stars 135-114. | AP Photo/Mark Lennihan
36 of 37
Kobe_40.jpg
In this Nov. 26, 2013 photo Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant smiles during a media availability before an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards in Washington. The Retired NBA superstar has died in helicopter crash in Southern California, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. | AP Photo/Alex Brandon
37 of 37
Kobe_01.jpg
Kobe_02.jpg
Kobe_03.jpg
Kobe_04.jpg
Kobe_05.jpg
Kobe_06.jpg
Kobe_07.jpg
Kobe_08.jpg
Kobe_09.jpg
Kobe_10.jpg
Kobe_11.jpg
Kobe_12.jpg
Kobe_13.jpg
Kobe_14.jpg
Kobe_15.jpg
Kobe_16.jpg
Kobe_17.jpg
Kobe_18.jpg
Kobe_19.jpg
Kobe_20.jpg
Kobe_21.jpg
Kobe_22.jpg
Kobe_23.jpg
Kobe_24.jpg
Kobe_25.jpg
Kobe_26.jpg
Kobe_29.jpg
Kobe_30.jpg
Kobe_31.jpg
Kobe_32.jpg
Kobe_33.jpg
Kobe_35.jpg
Kobe_36.jpg
Kobe_37.jpg
Kobe_38.jpg
Kobe_39.jpg
Kobe_40.jpg

In This Stream
Kobe Bryant killed in helicopter crash
Vanessa Bryant agrees to settle wrongful death lawsuit
Oprah says Gayle King ‘facing death threats’ after social media backlash
Sky forward Gabby Williams remembers Gianna Bryant: ‘She was going to be heaps better than me’
View all 11 Stories
Next Up In Sports
Minneapolis will host Big Ten basketball tournaments
Cubs move up Wednesday game time vs. Rays due to rain in forecast
Jerry West says HBO’s ‘Winning Time’ is a ‘deliberately false characterization’
Russian, Belarusian players banned from Wimbledon
Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn will enter NBA Draft
High hopes for Heidecke Lake fishing: Prospects look good for the season, despite a brutal opener
The Latest
Zoraida Bartolomei y Alberto Rolón y sus dos hijos en 2017. La familia fue encontrada muerta a tiros en su casa de Romeoville el domingo.
La Voz Chicago
Presunto asesino de una familia de Romeoville muere baleado en Oklahoma durante persecución
En el coche también encontraron a una mujer herida de bala que más tarde murió a causa de las heridas, según las autoridades.
By Allison Novelo
 
La Carnicería Guanajuato, 3140 N. California Ave., fue inspeccionada el 8 de septiembre después de un reporte de intoxicación alimentaria, según los registros.
La Voz Chicago
Brote de salmonella en taquería de lado norte deja a decenas de personas enfermas
Los funcionarios de salud emitieron una advertencia a cualquier persona que haya cenado en la taquería o que haya comprado comida preparada en su supermercado desde el 29 de agosto.
By Sun-Times staff
 
Peso Pluma se presenta en los premios MTV Video Music Awards el martes 12 de septiembre de 2023 en el Prudential Center en Newark, Nueva Jersey.
La Voz Chicago
Concierto de Peso Pluma en Chicago ahora será a fines de octubre
El espectáculo que iba a ser en Chicago, parte de la gira “Doble P”, ahora se llevará a cabo el 29 de octubre. Se respetarán los boletos de la fecha anterior.
By Sun-times Staff And Wires
 
merlin_116018360.jpg
Bears
Matt Eberflus ‘respecting space’ for former DC Alan Williams
Eberflus didn’t have much to say personally about Williams, who resigned suddenly Wednesday. But he indicated the organization has been in touch with Williams to offer support. “We just said, ‘if you need anything, we can help you. Let us know.’”
By Mark Potash
 
Columnist Irv Kupcinet gets a light from Sun-Times Publisher James Hoge in 1990.
Other Views
Shoe leather is the soul of good journalism, and famed Sun-Times Editor Jim Hoge knew it
Thousands of journalists are following in Jim Hoge’s footsteps, and the state of the world depends on their investigative work, a board member from the International Center for Journalists writes.
By Jason H. Wright