Thousands gather outside Staples Center to pay their respects to Kobe Bryant who died alongside his daughter and seven others in chopper crash
- Thousands of fans gathered outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles to mourn the passing of legendary NBA star Kobe Bryant
- The 41-year-old Bryant died alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California
- Fans brought flowers and left hats, jerseys and other memorabilia outside the Staples Center in a tribute to the former Los Angeles Lakers basketball star
- The sad scene was taking place as the annual Grammy awards also were set to be held in the arena Sunday
- Mourners also gathered outside other arenas, including New York's famed Madison Square Garden
- Fans also showed up outside the Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks, California, which Bryant founded and was reported going to with his daughter for practice
Thousands of fans gathered outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles to mourn the passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who died alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
Mourners paid their respects outside the arena after the 41-year-old Bryant was killed in the crash in Calabasas, California.
Fans brought flowers and left hats, jerseys and other memorabilia in a tribute to the former Los Angeles Lakers basketball star.
The sad scene was taking place as the Grammys were also held at the arena Sunday night.
![Fans began setting up a shrine to legendary NBA star Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center on Sunday, after the former Los Angeles Lakers star died alongside his daughter, Gianna, 13, and seven others in a chopper crash that morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/00/23905398-7932209-Fans_began_setting_up_a_shrine_to_legendary_NBA_star_Kobe_Bryant-a-2_1580085556794.jpg)
Fans began setting up a shrine to legendary NBA star Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center on Sunday, after the former Los Angeles Lakers star died alongside his daughter, Gianna, 13, and seven others in a chopper crash that morning
![Thousands began arriving outside the Staples Center to pay their respects to Kobe Bryant on Sunday, after the former Los Angeles Lakers star died alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others in a chopper crash that morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23905054-7932209-Thousands_began_arriving_outside_the_Staples_Center_to_pay_their-a-1_1580090930202.jpg)
Thousands began arriving outside the Staples Center to pay their respects to Kobe Bryant on Sunday, after the former Los Angeles Lakers star died alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others in a chopper crash that morning
![Fans observing a moment of silence at a makeshift shrine erected to Bryant's memory outside the Staples Center on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/04/23905402-7932209-image-a-29_1580099559659.jpg)
Fans observing a moment of silence at a makeshift shrine erected to Bryant's memory outside the Staples Center on Sunday
![Some fans were visibly emotional outside the Staples Center while paying respects to Kobe Bryant on Sunday, after the former Los Angeles Lakers star died alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others in a chopper crash that morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23905326-7932209-Some_fans_were_visibly_emotional_outside_the_Staples_Center_whil-a-4_1580090930204.jpg)
Some fans were visibly emotional outside the Staples Center while paying respects to Kobe Bryant on Sunday, after the former Los Angeles Lakers star died alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others in a chopper crash that morning
![Three devastated fans comfort each outside the Staples Center other over the loss of Kobe Bryant on Sunday, after the former 41-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star died alongside his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others in a chopper crash that morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23905320-7932209-Three_devastated_fans_comfort_each_outside_the_Staples_Center_ot-a-5_1580090930212.jpg)
Three devastated fans comfort each outside the Staples Center other over the loss of Kobe Bryant on Sunday, after the former 41-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star died alongside his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others in a chopper crash that morning
![A woman is comforted in the gathering of mourners outside the Staples Center Sunday, where thousands came to pay their respects to Kobe Bryant, 41, who died alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others in a chopper crash that morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23905298-7932209-A_woman_is_comforted_in_the_gathering_of_mourners_outside_the_St-a-3_1580090930203.jpg)
A woman is comforted in the gathering of mourners outside the Staples Center Sunday, where thousands came to pay their respects to Kobe Bryant, 41, who died alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others in a chopper crash that morning
![Fans were seen crying and praying outside the Staples Center as they mourned Kobe Bryant on Sunday after the NBA legend was killed alongside his daughter, Gianna, 13, and seven others in a helicopter crash that morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/12/23905582-7932209-Fans_were_seen_crying_and_praying_outside_the_Staples_Center_as_-a-6_1580126950087.jpg)
Fans were seen crying and praying outside the Staples Center as they mourned Kobe Bryant on Sunday after the NBA legend was killed alongside his daughter, Gianna, 13, and seven others in a helicopter crash that morning
![A woman prays among thousands gathered outside the Staples Center to pay their respects to Kobe Bryant on Sunday, after the former 41-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star died alongside his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others in a chopper crash that morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23905384-7932209-A_woman_prays_among_thousands_gathered_outside_the_Staples_Cente-a-2_1580090930203.jpg)
A woman prays among thousands gathered outside the Staples Center to pay their respects to Kobe Bryant on Sunday, after the former 41-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star died alongside his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others in a chopper crash that morning
![Dharma Brown, 8, of Los Angeles, writes a note to the late Kobe Bryant outside of the Staples Center](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23905312-7932209-Dharma_Brown_8_of_Los_Angeles_writes_a_note_to_the_late_Kobe_Bry-a-6_1580090930216.jpg)
Dharma Brown, 8, of Los Angeles, writes a note to the late Kobe Bryant outside of the Staples Center
Mourners also were assembling outside other arenas, including New York's famed Madison Square Garden. The arena's exterior lights were changed to purple and gold to honor Bryant before Sunday night's game between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.
In Denver, a tearful tribute to Bryant was made at the Pepsi Center before the Denver Nuggets played the Houston Rockets.
Fans also set up a makeshift memorial outside the Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks, California, which Bryant founded and where he was reportedly going with his daughter for basketball practice when the crash happened.
By evening, mourners had also gathered outside Bryant's former high school in Pennsylvania.
Several dozen people stood silently at Lower Merion High School, in Ardmore near Philadelphia, where Bryant had attended as a youth.
Bryant's private Sikorsky S-76 struck a hillside amid heavy fog and immediately caught fire at around 10am.
Officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene near Las Virgenes Road and Willow Glen Street in Calabasas after a group of mountain bikers spotted the smoke.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. A flight plan indicated the helicopter took off from John Wayne Airport in Orange County at 9.06am PST and the last signal was received from the aircraft at 9.45am. It was expected to land at San Gabriel Valley Airport in El Monte.
Initial reports claimed five people had been killed, but the death toll was raised to nine - including the pilot, named locally as Ara Zobayan. Among those also killed was John Altobelli, a baseball coach at Orange County College, his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa. Girls basketball coach Christina Mauser was also killed in crash.
Kobe and Gianna are survived by his wife Vanessa and their three other daughters - Natalia, Bianca and Capri, who was born last summer.
A heartbreaking video of the deceased father-daughter duo attending a basketball game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Brooklyn Nets on December 21 resurfaced soon after the crash.
Bryant appears to be teaching Gianna - a budding basketball star herself - a thing or two about the game while sitting courtside at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
![Mourners also were assembling outside other arenas, including New York's famed Madison Square Garden. The arena's exterior lights were changed to purple and gold to honor Bryant before Sunday night's game between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23907306-7932209-Mourners_also_were_assembling_outside_other_arenas_including_New-a-18_1580090930604.jpg)
Mourners also were assembling outside other arenas, including New York's famed Madison Square Garden. The arena's exterior lights were changed to purple and gold to honor Bryant before Sunday night's game between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets
![Houston Rockets center Tyson Chandler, guard Austin Rivers and forward P.J. Tucker react during a tribute to Kobe Bryant before an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/04/23914630-7932209-image-a-32_1580099752938.jpg)
Houston Rockets center Tyson Chandler, guard Austin Rivers and forward P.J. Tucker react during a tribute to Kobe Bryant before an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on Sunday
![Fans dressed in their Kobe Bryant jerseys show up at the Mamba Sports Academy on Sunday, where the NBA legend was reportedly on his way before his helicopter crashed, killing the 41-year-old, his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/12/23906610-7932209-Fans_dressed_in_their_Kobe_Bryant_jerseys_show_up_at_the_Mamba_S-a-1_1580126950040.jpg)
Fans dressed in their Kobe Bryant jerseys show up at the Mamba Sports Academy on Sunday, where the NBA legend was reportedly on his way before his helicopter crashed, killing the 41-year-old, his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others
![Jerseys, flowers and candles were placed outside the entrance to Mamba Sports Academy in Thousands Oaks, California, on Sunday. Kobe Bryant founded the academy and was reportedly on his way there before his helicopter crashed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/12/23906606-7932209-Jerseys_flowers_and_candles_were_placed_outside_the_entrance_to_-a-2_1580126950041.jpg)
Jerseys, flowers and candles were placed outside the entrance to Mamba Sports Academy in Thousands Oaks, California, on Sunday. Kobe Bryant founded the academy and was reportedly on his way there before his helicopter crashed
![Several dozen people stand silently at Lower Merion High School, which Bryant attended in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, on Sunday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23911646-7932209-image-a-24_1580091094235.jpg)
Several dozen people stand silently at Lower Merion High School, which Bryant attended in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, on Sunday night
![Flowers, basketballs, sweat shirts and candle were placed in front of the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium of Lower Merion High School, which the basketball star attended in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, on Sunday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23911640-7932209-image-a-26_1580091260045.jpg)
Flowers, basketballs, sweat shirts and candle were placed in front of the Kobe Bryant Gymnasium of Lower Merion High School, which the basketball star attended in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, on Sunday night
Gianna frequently shared photos of herself on the court on social media.
News of the NBA legend's death sent shockwaves in the sports world and beyond - marking an abrupt ending to one of most indelible public lives in modern American history.
President Donald Trump tweeted condolences to Bryant's family members, saying that the NBA legend was 'just getting started in life'.
Former vice president Joe Biden observed a moment of silence while attending an NAACP event in Iowa.
![Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant attend the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on December 29, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23908808-7932209-Kobe_Bryant_and_Gianna_Bryant_attend_the_game_between_the_Los_An-a-17_1580090930588.jpg)
Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant attend the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on December 29, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California
![Rescuers are pictured moving in on the burning crash site where Kobe Bryant's helicopter went down on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23906622-7932209-Rescuers_are_pictured_moving_in_on_the_burning_crash_site_where_-a-10_1580090930273.jpg)
Rescuers are pictured moving in on the burning crash site where Kobe Bryant's helicopter went down on Sunday
![The crash site where Kobe Bryant and his 13 year old daughter Gianna died when their helicopter went down in Calabasas, California, on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23906630-7932209-The_crash_site_where_Kobe_Bryant_and_his_13_year_old_daughter_Gi-a-8_1580090930220.jpg)
The crash site where Kobe Bryant and his 13 year old daughter Gianna died when their helicopter went down in Calabasas, California, on Sunday
![Fans gather at the intersection in Calabasas, California, near the hillside where Kobe Bryant's helicopter crashed Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/12/23912078-7932209-Fans_gather_at_the_intersection_in_Calabasas_California_near_the-a-4_1580126950057.jpg)
Fans gather at the intersection in Calabasas, California, near the hillside where Kobe Bryant's helicopter crashed Sunday
![Fans embrace near the scene where Kobe Bryant's chopper fell in Calbasas, California, killing the NBA legend, his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/03/23912064-7932209-image-a-58_1580094847966.jpg)
Fans embrace near the scene where Kobe Bryant's chopper fell in Calbasas, California, killing the NBA legend, his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others
![Mourners console each other near the scene of where Kobe Bryant's chopper fell in Calabasas, California, killing the NBA legend, his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/12/23912058-7932209-Mourners_console_each_other_near_the_scene_of_where_Kobe_Bryant_-a-3_1580126950054.jpg)
Mourners console each other near the scene of where Kobe Bryant's chopper fell in Calabasas, California, killing the NBA legend, his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others
Bryant was widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
The Philadelphia native was a first-round pick in the 1996 draft and spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVP titles and 18 All-Star titles before retiring in 2016.
Bryant was on 15 All-NBA Teams, 12 All-Defensive Teams and represented the USA at the Olympics in 2008 and 2008.
![News of the NBA legend's death sent shockwaves in the sports world and beyond. Former Vice President Joe Biden is pictured pausing in a moment of silence for Bryant at an NAACP even tin Iowa](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/12/23908396-7932209-News_of_the_NBA_legend_s_death_sent_shockwaves_in_the_sports_wor-a-5_1580126950057.jpg)
News of the NBA legend's death sent shockwaves in the sports world and beyond. Former Vice President Joe Biden is pictured pausing in a moment of silence for Bryant at an NAACP even tin Iowa
![President Donald Trump tweeted condolences to Bryant's family members, saying that the NBA legend was 'just getting started in life'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23908776-7932209-President_Donald_Trump_tweeted_condolences_to_Bryant_s_family_me-a-20_1580090930622.jpg)
President Donald Trump tweeted condolences to Bryant's family members, saying that the NBA legend was 'just getting started in life'
![President Trump's tweet offered his First Lady Melania's condolences to Bryant's family](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23908774-7932209-President_Trump_s_tweet_offered_his_First_Lady_Melania_s_condole-a-21_1580090930654.jpg)
President Trump's tweet offered his First Lady Melania's condolences to Bryant's family
He was the first guard in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons and was the first and only player in Lakers history to have both of his jersey numbers - 8 and 24 - retired.
He is currently ranked fourth for all-time regular season scoring and all-time postseason scoring.
The impact he had on fans was readily apparent in the hours after the news broke with numerous mourners wearing his No. 8 and No. 14 outside several arenas, including the Staples Center, just hours before the Grammy Awards were being held Sunday evening.
Some fans called for the show to be cancelled in honor of the NBA great.
![A floral wreath honoring Kobe Bryant was set up outside of Staples Center in memory of Kobe Bryant, after the NBA star died alongside his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others Sunday in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, California](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23905308-7932209-A_floral_wreath_honoring_Kobe_Bryant_was_set_up_outside_of_Stapl-a-12_1580090930435.jpg)
A floral wreath honoring Kobe Bryant was set up outside of Staples Center in memory of Kobe Bryant, after the NBA star died alongside his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others Sunday in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, California
![A basketball lies amid flowers at a makeshift shrine outside the Staples Center on Sunday in memory of retired Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash that same day alongside his daughter and seven others](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/00/23905360-7932209-A_basketball_lies_amid_flowers_at_a_makeshift_shrine_outside_the-a-20_1580085557046.jpg)
A basketball lies amid flowers at a makeshift shrine outside the Staples Center on Sunday in memory of retired Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash that same day alongside his daughter and seven others
Bryant's death came one day after he was passed by Lakers forward LeBron James for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
The unseated star congratulated James on Twitter during the Lakers' 108-91 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.
![Zach Scwartz tweeted he was among fans who brought flowers to the Staples Center](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/12/23907022-7932209-Zach_Scwartz_tweeted_he_was_among_fans_who_brought_flowers_to_th-a-7_1580126950111.jpg)
Zach Scwartz tweeted he was among fans who brought flowers to the Staples Center
![A mourner tweeted her protest over the Grammys award ceremony, which was still on at the Staples Center on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23907014-7932209-A_mourner_tweeted_her_protest_over_the_Grammys_award_ceremony_wh-a-13_1580090930487.jpg)
A mourner tweeted her protest over the Grammys award ceremony, which was still on at the Staples Center on Sunday
James had written 'Mamba 4 Life' and '8/24 KB' on his sneakers in gold ink before the game to show respect for Bryant.
'It's another guy that I looked up to when I was in grade school and high school,' James told reporters in Bryant’s home town of Philadelphia on Saturday. 'Seeing him come straight out of high school, he is someone that I used as inspiration.
'It was like, wow. Seeing a kid, 17 years old, come into the NBA and trying to make an impact on a franchise, I used it as motivation. He helped me before he even knew of me because of what he was able to do. So, just to be able to, at this point of my career, to share the same jersey that he wore, be with this historical franchise and just represent the purple and gold, it's very humbling.'
![A couple pauses to gaze at an electronic sign outside the Staples Center remembering Kobe Bryant on Sunday after the NBA legend was killed alongside his daughter, Gianna, 13, and seven others in a helicopter crash that morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/02/23905396-7932209-A_couple_pauses_to_gaze_at_an_electronic_sign_outside_the_Staple-a-14_1580090930520.jpg)
A couple pauses to gaze at an electronic sign outside the Staples Center remembering Kobe Bryant on Sunday after the NBA legend was killed alongside his daughter, Gianna, 13, and seven others in a helicopter crash that morning
James is just one of the people that Bryant inspired, and judging by the outpouring of sorrow on the streets of Los Angeles, he is in considerable company.
'Kobe Bryant was a giant who inspired, amazed and thrilled people everywhere with his incomparable skill on the court — and awed us with his intellect and humility as a father, husband, creative genius, and ambassador for the game he loved,' Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti wrote on Twitter.
'Kobe was not only an icon in the sports arena, he was a man of the world and touched so many lives and communities in the most positive ways,' said Hall of Famer Larry Bird.
'His star was continuing to rise every day and he knew no limits because of his many intellectual and creative talents and desire to give back to others – his passion for the game, for his family and for others was apparent in everything he accomplished.'
![A fan holds a poster in memory of Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center on Sunday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01/27/12/23905332-7932209-A_fan_holds_a_poster_in_memory_of_Kobe_Bryant_outside_the_Staple-a-8_1580126950116.jpg)
A fan holds a poster in memory of Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center on Sunday
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