NBA players react to the tragic death of legend Kobe Bryant

Players around the NBA offered their shock and condolences to the families involved in the fatal helicopter crash.

NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were among several people killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning in the Los Angeles suburb of Calabasas, California, the league confirmed.

TMZ was first to report the news.

Bryant and his daughter, along with another parent and child, were traveling to a basketball game when the helicopter crashed, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Bryant was a five-time NBA champion, 18-time NBA All-Star, 2008 MVP and an 11-time All-NBA First Team selection during his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on the passing of Bryant.

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 selection and two Olympic gold medals.

But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up and 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 organization and the entire sports world.

The news of his death immediately spread across social media with many players offering their shock and condolences to the families involved in the crash.