Basketball star Kobe Bryant, 41, was killed in a helicopter crash in the Los Angeles area on Sunday morning, NBC News has confirmed.
Bryant's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also on board. The pair were traveling to a basketball game for the Los Angeles Lady Mambas, a team that Gianna played on and Bryant coached. Seven other people were also killed in the crash.
Reports that Bryant, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers, was on board the helicopter were first shared by TMZ before being confirmed by NBC News. Fans and celebrities immediately took to social media to mourn Bryant's passing.
Former Miami Heat player and 13-time NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade shared a heartbreaking message of disbelief.
Shaquille O'Neal, who played alongside Bryant on the Lakers, shared a sweet post on Instagram along with several photos of himself and Bryant.
"There are no words to express the pain I'm going through now with this tragic and sad moment," he wrote.
Kevin Love, a five-time NBA All-Star and player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, shared a sad message.
Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist Scottie Pippen said "words can't even come close to describing" the tragedy.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a former Lakers player and the NBA's leading all-time scorer, shared an emotional video on Twitter in which he said he would "always remember (Bryant) as a man who was much more than an athlete."
Magic Johnson, another former Lakers star, also shared his grief, saying, "I’m in disbelief and have been crying all morning over this devastating news."
Atlanta Hawks player Trae Young honored the athlete in a short tribute, thanking him for "All the lessons" and "All the advice."
Former NBA player and ESPN analyst Paul Pierce called the news "unreal."
Former Detroit Pistons player Isiah Thomas called the news "unbelievably sad."
The tributes weren't limited to stars in the NBA.
"Kobe Bryant, despite being one of the truly great basketball players of all time, was just getting started in life," President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter. "He loved his family so much, and had such strong passion for the future. The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even more devastating... Melania and I send our warmest condolences to Vanessa and the wonderful Bryant family. May God be with you all!"
“Kobe, We love you brother,” Kanye West wrote, also sharing a photo with Bryant. “We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave.”
"My heart is so heavy," wrote Kim Kardashian West along with a pic of Bryant and his daughter. "No one should ever experience what the families involved are going through. This has affected us all so much but I cannot begin to imagine what Vanessa is feeling losing her husband and her baby girl. I cry just thinking about it."
Olympic medalist Simone Biles shared a photo of herself and other Team USA gymnasts with Bryant, along with a sweet message.
Katie Couric shared a video of Bryant and his daughter, saying that the news "breaks her heart."
Jimmy Fallon wrote how Bryant will never be forgotten for both his athletic prowess and parenting.
Ellen DeGeneres said she was "stunned and saddened" by the news, and that her "heart is broken" for Bryant's family.
United States women's national soccer team player Megan Rapinoe said that her heart was going out to his family.
Singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips said that he was "so so sad" about the news.
First lady Melania Trump shared her thoughts and prayers for all affected.
Former President Barack Obama called Bryant a "legend on the court" and said that he and wife Michelle are sending "love and prayers" to the Bryant family.
Alex Rodriguez shared a long personal message, writing, "People don't know this, but he was my secret coach. He pushed me and motivated me, especially toward the end of my career when I needed him most. He was always there."
Fans also took to social media to remember the basketball legend, sharing memories of watching him play.
Outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where the Lakers play and where the Grammy Awards were to be held on Sunday evening, fans and celebrities alike mourned the loss of Bryant and Gianna.