Kobe Bryant was “one of the most extraordinary players” in the history of basketball who “inspired people around the world” to play the game.
The 41-year-old died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
Bryant, who retired in 2016 after a 20-year career with the LA Lakers, was a five-time NBA champion and was named an NBA All-Star 18 times.
“The NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
“For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning. He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary.
“But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability.
“He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna.”
Shaquille O’Neal, who won three NBA titles with Bryant for the LA Lakers, said: “There’s no words to express the pain I’m going through with this tragedy of losing my niece Gigi & my brother, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie.
“I love you and you will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. I’m sick right now.”
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played for the Lakers from 1975-1989, said: “It’s very difficult for me to put in words how I feel. Kobe was an incredible family man, he loved his wife and daughters, he was an incredible athlete, he inspired a whole generation. This loss is hard to comprehend.”
Former US President Barack Obama wrote on Twitter: “Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act.”
Current US President Donald Trump said it was “terrible news”.
Former LA Lakers president Magic Johnson, a five-time NBA champion in the 1980s, tweeted: “Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players. Words can’t express the impact that he had on the game of basketball.”
Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan added: “I loved Kobe – he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much.
“He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force. Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply – and took great pride in his daughter’s love for the game of basketball.”
Bryant finished his playing career as the Lakers’ all-time leading points scorer, and is fourth on the NBA’s all-time list with 33,643 points.
In his 1,566th and final game for the Lakers in April 2016 he scored 60 points for the sixth time.
Some in the 18,000 sell-out crowd had paid upwards of $25,000 (£17,580) to be in the crowd to see the two-time Olympic gold medallist.
The Lakers retired both Bryant’s number eight and 24 jerseys in September 2017.
In 2018 he won an Oscar for his five-minute film Dear Basketball, based on a love letter to the sport he had written in 2015.
Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar and Woods pay tribute
Golf great Tiger Woods, a 15-time major winner, said he heard the news after completing his final round at the Farmers Insurance Open in California.
“[Caddie] Joey [La Cava] told me coming off the 18th green. I didn’t understand why the crowd was saying ‘beautiful Mamba’, now I know,” he said.
“It’s unbelievably sad and the reality is sinking in because I was told about five minutes ago.
“He brought a desire to win every night on both ends of the floor, not too many guys can say that. Any time he was in the game he’d take on their best player.”
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi wrote on Instagram: “I have no words … All my love for Kobe’s family and friends. It was a pleasure to meet you and share good times together. You were a genius like few others.”
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo said the news was “heartbreaking”, adding Bryant was “a true legend and inspiration to so many”, while Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba added: “Heroes come and go, legends are for ever.”
Britain’s six-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton said: “I’m so sad to hear that we lost one of our greats. Bryant was one of the greatest athletes and was such an inspiration to so many, including myself.”
Brazil and Paris St-Germain forward Neymar paid tribute with a goal celebration in Sunday evening’s win at Lille.
After scoring a second-half penalty, he held up two fingers on one hand and four on the other, marking Bryant’s Lakers shirt number 24.
The Brazil international, a basketball fan who had met Bryant, also bowed and pointed to the sky.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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