New Delhi: 'Magician' Kobe Bryant, son of former NBA player Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The Los Angeles Lakers legend’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant was one of nine people killed in the crash. Frequently hailed as one of the greatest basketball minds' of his generation, Bryant was a five-time NBA champion, 18-time All-Star and a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

Bryant played his entire career - two decades - with the Lakers. His untimely death sent shockwaves throughout the world, with global sports icons and basketball fans saddened by the news.

A look at some highlights of the most celebrated basketball careers of all time in NBA:

  1. 4th all-time scorer in NBA history (33,643 points)

  2. Won two Olympic Gold Medals for USA (2008 Beijing, 2012 London)

  3. 18-time All-Star (1998, 2000–2016)

  4. Academy Award winner for animated short film (2018)

  5. 2-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (2009–2010)

  6. 4-time All-Star game Most Valuable Player (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011)

  7. Won the Slam Dunk contest as a rookie (1997)

  8. Went straight from high school to the NBA (13th pick in 1996 Draft)

  9. 5-time NBA Champion with the Lakers (2000-2002, 2009, 2010)

  10. Scored 81 points in a game, the second-most in NBA history

  11. Led NBA in scoring twice


As screens began flashing the dateline 'Kobe Bryant, 1978-2020', the Bryant fandom struggled to come to terms with their hero's mention in past tense.