The 41-year-old died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, BBC Sport reported.

Bryant, who retired in 2016 after a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, was a five-time NBA champion and was named an NBA All-Star 18 times.

He and his wife, Vanessa, have three other daughters – Natalia, Bianca, and Capri.

“The NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

“For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with absolute devotion to winning. He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary.

“But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability.”

Shaquille O’Neal, who won three NBA titles with Bryant for the Lakers, said, “There’s no words to express the pain I’m going through with this tragedy of losing my niece Gigi & my brother, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie.

“I love you and you will be missed. My condolences go out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. I’m sick right now.”

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played for the Lakers from 1975-1989, said, “It’s very difficult for me to put in words how I feel. Kobe was an incredible family man, he loved his wife and daughters, he was an incredible athlete, he inspired a whole generation. This loss is hard to comprehend.”

Former US President Barack Obama wrote on Twitter, “Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.”

US President Donald Trump said, “Kobe Bryant, despite being one of the truly great basketball players of all time, was just getting started in life. He loved his family so much and had such a strong passion for the future. The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even more devastating.”

Former Lakers president Magic Johnson, a five-time NBA champion in the 1980s, tweeted, “Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players. Words can’t express the impact that he had on the game of basketball.”

Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan added, “I loved Kobe – he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much.

“He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force. Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply – and took great pride in his daughter’s love for the game of basketball.”

American legendary actor and Longtime Lakers fan Jack Nicholson said, “My reaction is the same as almost all of LA… where everything was solid there’s a big hole in the wall,” adding that he will remember Bryant’s “totality” and “just how great a player he was.”

Bryant finished his playing career as the Lakers’ all-time leading points scorer and is fourth on the NBA’s all-time list with 33,643 points.

In his 1,566th and final game for the Lakers in April 2016 he scored 60 points for the sixth time.

Some in the 18,000 sellout crowd had paid upwards of $25,000 (£17,580) to be in the crowd to see the two-time Olympic gold medalist.

The Lakers retired both Bryant’s number eight and 24 jerseys in September 2017.

In 2018 he won an Oscar for his five-minute film Dear Basketball, based on a love letter to the sport he had written in 2015.

Ronaldo, Messi pay tribute

Iconic golfer Tiger Woods, a 15-time major winner, said he heard the news after completing his final round at the Farmers Insurance Open in California.

“He brought a desire to win every night on both ends of the floor, not too many guys can say that. Any time he was in the game, he’d take on their best player.”

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson wrote on Twitter, “I mourn with the world. Lost a legend. No words. I’m messed up. RIP Kobe Bryant, Gianna and the rest of the passengers.”

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi wrote on Instagram, “I have no words… All my love for Kobe’s family and friends. It was a pleasure to meet you and share good times together. You were a genius like few others.”

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo said the news was “heartbreaking”, adding Bryant was “a true legend and inspiration to so many”, while Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba added: “Heroes come and go, legends are forever.”

Britain’s six-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton said, “I’m so sad to hear that we lost one of our greats. Bryant was one of the greatest athletes and was such an inspiration to so many, including myself.”

World number one tennis player Rafael Nadal tweeted, “I woke up this morning with the horrible news of the tragic death of one of the greatest sportsmen in the world. Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and other passengers. My condolences to his wife and families. I am in shock.”