NBA World Remembers Kobe Bryant and Daughter Gigi Five Years After Tragic Death

Bryant was one of nine people killed in a helicopter crash in January of 2020. | Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Five years ago to the day, former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi were among nine people killed in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, California.

The group was traveling for a basketball game at Bryant's Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks when weather conditions caused the chopper to crash into the side of a mountain.

The tragedy was met with countless tributes, mourning, and remembrance from the sports community. Five years later, their legends live on. The NBA world reacted to the anniversary of the Bryants' death across social media on Sunday. Here's a look:

Always in our hearts 💜 pic.twitter.com/gjkRboWvtH
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 26, 2025

5 years 💔 We miss you Kobe and Gigi pic.twitter.com/VRcJqULxsF
— Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation (@kobehighlight) January 26, 2025

It’s been 5 years. RIP Kobe 🕊️ #KobeBryant pic.twitter.com/OvnO0bonp1
— Legends (@rK_Legends) January 26, 2025

Forever loved, always missed. Kobe Bryant. 🐍⚫#SempreKobe ❤️🖤
— AC Milan (@acmilan) January 26, 2025

Kobe Bryant didn’t just play basketball; he studied it like a language. His legacy is a reminder that anything worth mastering begins with curiosity and ends with unrelenting pursuit.

Five years on, the world hasn’t felt the same. A reminder that his impact transcended the… pic.twitter.com/vTOH95Hs7C
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) January 26, 2025

Five years ago today, we lost Kobe Bryant.

Mamba Forever 🖤 pic.twitter.com/hTpGlFIQN9
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 26, 2025

Gigi wanted Kobe to show up at her career day in school… so he came in full uniform and a gold medal.

Can’t believe it’s been 5 years.

Mamba and Mambacita forever. ♾️💜 pic.twitter.com/FbrGQbNTXB
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) January 26, 2025

January 26th marks the heartbreaking loss of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, a day that forever impacts the world. 🙏

Mamba & Mambacita forever ♾️💜💛 pic.twitter.com/hopnjLtvjH
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 26, 2025

5 years ago today we lost Kobe & Gigi Bryant 🕊️

Rest In Peace Mamba & Gigi🐍🙏 pic.twitter.com/izl1cuBZc3
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) January 26, 2025

Five years without you. Miss you, Bean. 🕊️♾️ pic.twitter.com/VDrDWWnILO
— SLAM Kicks (@SLAMKicks) January 26, 2025

Today marks 5 years since Kobe Bryant passed away.

“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do.” —Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/1CYJlKlfnx
— AFRICAN & BLACK HISTORY (@AfricanArchives) January 26, 2025

Mamba Forever.

On the five-year anniversary of his passing, we remember Kobe Bryant 💛 pic.twitter.com/N4kxxoMT39
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) January 26, 2025

5 years ago and it's still surreal.

Kobe Bryant
Gigi Bryant
John Altobelli
Keri Altobelli
Alyssa Altobelli
Christina Mauser
Sarah Chester
Payton Chester
Ara Zobayan

May your memory live on forever. Rest in peace 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/EsyLKNq0VB
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) January 26, 2025

Today we remember our 2020 honorary draftees Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant, and Payton Chester 🧡 pic.twitter.com/HmoHJYoLqk
— WNBA (@WNBA) January 26, 2025

pic.twitter.com/O7viipMd0N
— NBA (@NBA) January 26, 2025

Sometimes you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. pic.twitter.com/ErWMSGBis5
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) January 26, 2025

Kobe Bryant was 41 years old. His daughter Gigi was 13.

Here is a full list of those who were lost in the tragic accident: