Basketball star Kobe Bryant and daughter die in helicopter crash

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Famous American basketball start Kobe Bryant is dead.

Kobe, 41 and his 13 year old daughter Gianna are among 9 people who died Sunday morning in a horrific helicopter crash which was caused by bad weather. He  and his daughter were expected at a basketball game in Southern California.

Kobe played for 20 years with Los Angeles Lakers and won five NBA championships.

Others who were killed in the crash were a college baseball coach,his wife and daughter and an assistant basketball coach.

Condolences continue to pour in from his teammates, fans, celebrities and public officials.

President Donald Trump tweeted, "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 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!"

Former US President Barrack Obama posted,"Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day."

Retired professional American basketball player and close friend Shaquille O'Neal wrote,"There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother Kobe. I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW."

"I loved Kobe. He was like a little brother to me," said basketball legend Michael Jordan.

"This is a monumental loss for the basketball fraternity," wrote the National Basketball Players Association.

A moving tribute in honor of the basketball  legend was made at the Grammy awards ceremony.