“Jeannine & I are absolutely shocked to hear of the loss of one of my favorite people & one of the best basketball minds in the history of the game! Our hearts & prayers to Vanessa & his girls. @kobebryant you were my biggest fan, but I was yours” – Bill Russell, five-time NBA Most Valuable Player, 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics “Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete.” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, six-time NBA champion and league’s all-time scoring leader “Nooooooooooo God please No!” – Three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade “That is terrible news!” – US President Donald Trump “Just devastated to hear about #KobeBryant. An extraordinary athlete, and a genuinely kind, wonderful man. Sending love, prayers & compassion to his family. To his entire @NBA family as well.” – Oscar winning actress Reese Witherspoon “Heart going out to the Bryant family right now. RIP Kobe Bryant.” – US women’s footballer and World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe “Like everyone, I’m stunned and saddened to hear the horrific news about Kobe Bryant. Thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this terribly sad time #RIPKobeBryant.” – Australian cricket legend Shane Warne “@kobebryant Gone much too soon, how devastating to hear of his passing, he gave joy to so many for so long – deep condolences to his family, his friends, his Laker family. RIP Kobe… #lifeistooshort.” – Tennis great Martina Navratilova “Heartbreaking news! Hard to fathom @kobebryant is gone. Just had their 4th child. 41 years old. #insane. RIP Kobe.” – Former US tennis star Tracy Austin “We miss you already Kobe.” – NFL Super Bowl winner Tom Brady “I truly can’t believe this. My heart is so heavy. Rest In Peace Kobe. What an unimaginable loss. All of my prayers to your loved ones.” – Former US Open tennis champion Sloane Stephens “Kobe Bryant you’re an angel. RIP to you legend. So kind and had time for everyone. The epitome of class and hard work. An Idol. Prayers to his family.” – US footballer Jozy Altidore “On behalf of myself, the players and staff at AS Roma, we join the rest of the sporting world in mourning the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant. Kobe was a true icon and our thoughts are now with his family and the families of all of the victims aboard that flight.” – Jim Pallotta, the owner of Italian football giants AS Roma “Shock right now. RIP KOBE.” – World golf number one Brooks Koepka “The moment you realise life ain’t something to fuck with! If you feel something tell that person! If you miss someone tell that person.. you never know when your time is up!” – Australian rugby union international Quade Cooper “I just found out 5 minutes ago and I still can’t believe it… Another example of how fragile life is, let’s enjoy it while we can. (And avoid helicopters until they are safer). DEP Kobe and the other 5 victims.” – Spain’s former world motorcycling champion Jorge Lorenzo “LA has lost one of our true superstars. Stunning to hear about the tragic and untimely death of #KobeBryant My heart goes out to his family and all the fans who will feel this loss so deeply.” – Hollywood actress Tara Buck “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. “Kobe will live forever in the heart of Los Angeles, and will be remembered through the ages as one of our greatest heroes.” – Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti “Speechless and shocked!! REST IN HEAVEN MAMBA.” – German football international Kevin-Prince Boateng “My biggest sports idol is this man right here. Your work ethic and mentality inspired me so much from as soon i understood what it took to become a pro. You were enjoying your new chapter in your life and to leave us just like that is devastating.. i love you so much! You the goat” – Inter Milan’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku on Instagram, with a photo of Bryant “It can’t be. You always encouraged me mamba. Gave me some of the best quotes that we smile about to this day.! Love you man!” – Pop superstar Justin Bieber on Instagram “I’m heartbroken by this news, you were a true legend, and friend. Rest In Peace @kobebryant, my thoughts and prayers to his wife and kids.” – French NBA great Tony Parker “Rest in peace Kobe. One of the best sportsmen/athletes that has ever lived. My heart goes out to his family and to all involved in this terrible accident” – Former Formula One world champion Jenson Button
