The iconic superstar’s tragic death is a seismic loss with his contribution instrumental in raising the sport’s global profileKobe Bryant, who died on Sunday in a helicopter crash in
California at the age of 41, was one of the most accomplished players in league history, an 18-time All-Star, a two-time NBA Finals MVP and the 2007-2008 league MVP. As a member of Team
USA he won gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. His 81 points against the
Toronto Raptors in 2006 is the second-highest single-game total in NBA history. In his final game in 2016 he scored 60 points against the
Utah Jazz, the most of any player in his last contest.
Related: Kobe Bryant: NBA legend dies in helicopter crash at age of 41