NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, in a stunning helicopter crash, passed away on Sunday. It shook the NBA, as players were hardly able to keep their composure while playing in games later that day.
While initial reports were without the full context of the incident, Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, were among the nine killed in the crash that took place in Calabasas, California.
Many current stars took to social media to pay their respects. Some went even a notch further, giving extremely heart-wrenching messages for Bryant, showcasing just how far Kobe’s reach around the league was.
Former Buckeye D’Angelo Russell gave a touching tribute to the legend on Instagram. “I find myself hearing every bit of advice you ever gave me,” Russell posted.
This was a difficult situation for everyone involved, and it shook some of the league’s most influential players, including Russell who once shared a locker room with Bryant.