Asisat Oshoala, Mutiu Adepoju, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba have paid tributes to basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died alongside his 13-Year-Old daughter Gianna in an helicopter crash on Sunday, Completesports.com reports
Former LA Lakers star Bryant and Gianna were among nine people who died Sunday morning when a helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California, sources and officials said.
Bryant, 41, and Gianna had been expected at the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks for a basketball game scheduled for Sunday.
Gianna was expected to play in the game and Bryant was expected to coach, according to Lady Mavericks team director Evelyn Morales.
Earlier, the sheriff’s department said five people were killed in the crash and that officials have not identified the victims.
Also Read: NBA Legend Bryant Dies In Helicopter Crash
Reacting to the shock death of Bryant, Barcelona Ladies striker, Oshoala, described it as devastating.
“Prayers up for Kobe’s family…devastating news,” Oshoala wrote on her Twitter handle.
Portuguese and Juventus star, Ronaldo, said Bryant was an inspiration to a lot of people.
Ronaldo wrote on his verified Twitter handle: “So sad to hear the heartbreaking news of the deaths of Kobe and his daughter Gianna. Kobe was a true legend and inspiration to so many. Sending my condolences to his family and friends and the families of all who lost their lives in the crash. RIP Legend.”
According to injured Manchester United star Pogba: “Heroes come and go. Legends are for ever R.i.P. Kobe and his daughter Gianna and all the victims, my prayers to the families.”
Adepoju a member of the Super Eagles 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winning squad wrote: “Death is just so cruel. RIP King Kobe Bryant.”
By James Agberebi
