Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash on Sunday in Calabasas, California.
Authorities believe a total
of nine people were killed.
A makeshift memorial was built outside
of the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Tributes poured in on social media after the news broke.
"There are no words to express the pain I’m going through now with this tragic and sad moment of loosing my niece Gigi & my friend, my brother, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie," Shaquille O’Neal, via Instagram.
"I love you and you will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW !" Shaquille O’Neal, via Instagram.
"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, via Twitter.
"Man I don’t even know where to start ... I started playing ball because of KOBE after watching the 2010 finals. I had never watched ball before that and that finals was the turning point of my life. I WANTED TO BE LIKE KOBE. I’m so FREAKING SAD right now!!!! RIP LEGEND," Joel Embiid, via Twitter.
"I’m stunned. Words can’t even come close to describing it. Just an incredibly sad and tragic day," Scottie Pippen, via Twitter.
"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," Magic Johnson, via Twitter.
"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." Barack Obama, via Twitter.
"Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day" Barack Obama, via Twitter.
"Kobe, We love you brother ... We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the inspiration you gave" Kanye West, via Twitter