Star American professional basketball player Kobe Bryant is no more. The iconic former Los Angeles Lakers star was reportedly killed in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday, reports say. The 5-time NBA champion has left his fans devastated.

Condoling Kobe's death, US President Donald Trump said, "Kobe Bryant, despite being one of the truly great basketball players of all time, was just getting started in life. He loved his family so much, and had such a strong passion for the future. The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even more devastating."

Rich tributes are pouring in from across the world, including one from the TRS leader KT Rama Rao. "Terrifying to think how fast life can be taken away. 41 is WAY too young. His talent and influence rippled so far beyond basketball," a condolence message by a celeb says.

As reported by Reuters, Kobe Bryant called his daughter Gianna ‘Mambacita’ after his own court nickname, ‘Black Mamba,’ confident she would follow in his footsteps and become a professional basketball player. The New York Times recalls, Kobe Bryant wrote the poem “Dear Basketball” to announce his retirement from the NBA. It was later illustrated and made into an Oscar-winning short film.

Shocked & anguished to learn that my fave Kobe Bryant & his daughter no more ??

5x NBA champion
2x NBA finals MVP
4x All star MVP
2x NBA scoring champion
NBA slam dunk champion
No. 8, 24 retired by the Lakers

RIP & Tearful adieu to the fabulous #KobeBryant #BlackMamba pic.twitter.com/u0Mqwa2J9v

— KTR (@KTRTRS) January 27, 2020