BREAKING: NBA Basketball Legend Kobe Bryant Among Nine Killed In California Helicopter Crash

CALABASAS, Calif. (CBS4) -- CBS News and CBS Los Angeles have confirmed that Kobe Bryant, the former NBA all-star guard who played all of his 20 years in the league with the Los Angeles Lakers, was killed Sunday morning in a helicopter crash northwest of the city.

Eight other people were also killed in the crash.

Bryant's wife, Vanessa, was reportedly not on board the flight.

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Members of the sports world immediately acknowledged the loss on social media.

Locally, all those awaiting the start of Sunday afternoon's Nuggets-Rockets tip-off at the Pepsi Center were affected by word of Bryant's passing.

In 1996, Bryant, at 18 years, two months and 11 days of age, was the youngest player to enter the NBA in its history. He played in his first All-Star game at 19.

Among other accolades, Bryant was named NBA Finals MVP two years in a row, 2009 and 2010. His Lakers won the NBA title three years in a row, 2000-2002.

Bryant was known for his phenomenal athleticism, leadership, and pursuit of perfection in all facets of the game. Bryant scored 81 points in a game against Toronto on January 22, 2006. It remains the second highest points total in league history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game in 1962.

He scored 60 in the last contest of his career in 2016.

Most recently, Bryant won an Academy Award for best short animated film for "Dear Basketball" in 2018.

Bryant was 41.