Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, have died in a helicopter crash.
The NBA legend, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter were among nine people killed in the tragic incident, which occurred on Sunday morning.
The pair were on their way to the Mamba Academy in California for a basketball practice when the private aircraft went down in Calabasas, near Los Angeles.
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Officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded to reports of the crash in Calabasas at around 10am.
Eyewitnesses told TMZ, who first broke the news of Bryant's death, that they heard the helicopter's engine spluttering before it went down.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash.
Initial reports claimed five people were on board but LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced in a press conference on Sunday afternoon that there were nine victims.
He is awaiting the coroner's report before confirming the identities of all nine people killed as it would be "inappropriate" to do so before the coroner's report.
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Bryant is married to Vanessa and Gianna was one of four daughters.
A heartbreaking video of Kobe and Gianna attending an NBA game in December resurfaced soon after the crash.
A sporting superstar in the US, Bryant was one of the most successful players in the history of the NBA.
A shooting guard, he played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, having been drafted straight from high school, and won five NBA Championships.
He was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team and a 12-time member of the All-Defensive team.
He was also a two-time Olympic gold medal winner with the USA and won an Oscar for best short animated film in 2018 for Dear Basketball, a five-minute film based on a love letter to the sport so synonymous with his name.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement: "The NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna.
"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: five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals.
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"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.
"We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Vanessa, and their family, the Lakers organisation and the entire sports world."
Bryant wore the No 8 jersey in his first decade with the Lakers and the No 24 in his next ten years with the organisation, before he retired in 2016.
The Lakers retired both of Bryant's shirt numbers in a ceremony in December 2017, when then franchise president Magic Johnson said: "We're here to celebrate the greatest who has ever worn the purple and gold."
Johnson tweeted on Sunday: "I'm in disbelief and have been crying all morning over this devastating news that Kobe and his young daughter, Gigi have passed away in a helicopter crash. Cookie and I are heartbroken. I love him, his family and what he stood for on the court and off the court.
"My friend, a legend, husband, father, son, brother, Oscar winner and greatest Laker of all-time is gone. It’s hard to accept. Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players."
Michael Jordan, arguably the most famous basketball player of all time, described Bryant as like his "little brother".
He said: "I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe's and Gianna's passing. Words can't describe the pain I'm feeling.
"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."
Alongside Shaquille O'Neal, Bryant helped the Lakers win three NBA championships in a row between 2000 and 2002. It is a feat that has not been matched since, with the Golden State Warriors losing in last year's finals having won two in a row.
O'Neal posted an emotional message on his social media accounts: "There's no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant 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".
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, also reacted to the news on social media, as did former president Barack Obama.
Golfer Tigers Woods, a lifelong Lakers fan and friend of Bryant's, said he only found out about his death after finishing his final round at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
The 15-time major winner told the PGA Tour: "It's a shocker to everyone. Unbelievably sad and one of the more tragic days...for me the reality is just setting in."
Asked what he remembers about Bryant, Woods added: "The fire. He burned so competitively hot and the desire to win. He brought it each and every night, on both ends of the floor. Not too many guys can say that throughout the NBA history."
Lewis Hamilton, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Diego Maradona, Simone Biles and Usain Bolt were among other sporting stars to pay tribute to Bryant, his daughter, and the seven others who lost their lives.
