Kobe Bryant Daughter Gianna Maria Has Also Passed Away in the Helicopter Crash Reports Confirm

The Sporting world was shaken when news broke about Kobe Bryant passing away in a helicopter crash. Reports have now confirmed one of his daughters, Gianna ‘Gigi’ Maria is among the victims. Nine people were killed. The vehicle was Kobe Bryant’s personal helicopter which crashed near Calabasas, California.

According to Kobe’s representatives, they were on their way to the Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks for basketball practice. No other member of the Bryant family was onboard. Emergency personnel who responded have not found any survivors.

Kobe Bryant and Gianna, a Love for Basketball

Gianna Maria played a major role in renewing Bryant’s interest in Basketball. He regularly was in attendance for Lakers games this season, supporting the franchise he had spent 20 seasons with.

Bryant had stepped away from the sport at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season. He revealed in a podcast that once Gigi got hooked onto Basketball, he was drawn in. Since then he has been watching games with his daughter every night. The father and daughter attended several games in 2019, the first time he was back at Staples Center following his dual jersey retirement in 2017.

“We just had so much fun because it was the first time I was seeing the game through her eyes.”

Bryant was known to have used a helicopter during his playing days in the NBA. He used to commute between Newport Beach to the Staples Center via helicopter.

Kobe Bryant was a generational talent in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers legend won five championships with the franchise. In addition, he was an 18-time All-Star and MVP among other accolades.

Tributes have flown in expressing their condolences for the Bryant family. A fan memorial has been set up outside of the Staples Center. Kobe Bryant and Gigi leave behind four family members Vanessa Bryant, Natalia, Bianka and Capri.