KOBE BRYANT, who led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA titles, died in a helicopter crash Sunday morning (Mark Samala photo).

UPDATE: Authorities have restated the number of persons killed in the crash that killed Kobe Bryant Sunday morning to nine – the pilot and eight passengers.

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Kobe Bryant, the professional basketball superstar who helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships, died Sunday (this) morning in a helicopter crash outside of Calabasas in Los Angeles County.

The crash, which took place in foggy conditions, also took the life of his daughter Gianna, and three others. He was 41.

Bryant was the fourth-highest scorer in NBA history and was named 11 times to the all-NBA first team. He spent his entire professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2016).

He won gold medals with the USA men’s basketball team in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic games.