In Pictures

In Pictures: The life of NBA icon Kobe Bryant

Bryant was considered one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with LA Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers'' Kobe Bryant chews on his jersey as he turns around to listen to coach Mike Brown during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in Los Angeles December — Bryant chews on his jersey as he turns around to listen to coach Mike Brown during the first half of an NBA basketball game against New York Knicks in Los Angeles on December 29, 2011. [Danny Moloshok/Reuters]

Former NBA player Kobe Bryant has died in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, California in the United States, officials said.

Bryant, 41, was considered one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He retired in 2016 as the third-leading scorer in NBA history, finishing 20 years with the Lakers as a prolific scorer with a sublime all-around game and a relentless competitive ethic.

Bryant had one of the greatest careers in recent NBA history and became one of the game’s most popular players as the face of the 16-time NBA champion Lakers franchise.

He was the league’s Most Valued Player in 2008 and a two-time NBA scoring champion.

Bryant won five NBA championship rings with the Lakers and an 18-times NBA All-Star who wore the number 24 during his career with the team.

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant slam dunks against the Toronto Raptors during their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, March 8, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo — Bryant slam dunks against the Toronto Raptors during their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, on March 8, 2013. [Lucy Nicholson/Reuters]

Former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant poses with his family during an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors in Los Angeles, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. The Lakers — Bryant poses with his family during an NBA basketball game between Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors in Los Angeles. The Lakers retired Bryant's Numbers 8 and 24 jersey during a half-time ceremony on December 18, 2017. [Chris Carlson/AP Photo]

Kobe Bryant (C) of the U.S. goes between Argentina''s Manu Ginobili (L) and Argentina''s Facundo Campazzo during their men''s preliminary round Group A basketball match at the Basketball Arena during the — Kobe Bryant (centre) of the US goes between Argentina's Manu Ginobili (left) and Facundo Campazzo during the men's preliminary round Group A basketball match at the Basketball Arena during the London 2012 Olympic Games, on August 6, 2012. [Brian Snyder/Reuters]

90th Academy Awards - Oscars Backstage - Hollywood, California, U.S., 04/03/2018 - Kobe Bryant with Best Animated Short Film Award for "Dear Basketball". REUTERS/Mike Blake TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - — In this 2018 photo, Bryant poses with the Best Animated Short Film Oscar Award for Dear Basketball. [Mike Blake /Reuters]

Fans wear Kobe Bryant jerseys at a rally in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum after the team paraded down Figueroa Street from Staples Center to the Coliseum as the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate their — Fans wear Kobe Bryant jerseys at a rally in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum after the team paraded down Figueroa Street from Staples Center to the Coliseum as the Los Angeles Lakers celebrated their 15th NBA Championship on June 17, 2009. [Danny Moloshok/Reuters]

Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O''Neal (R) kisses the Most Valuable Player trophy as teammate Kobe Bryant kisses the NBA championship trophy as they celebrate in the locker room after winning the — Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal (right) kisses the Most Valuable Player trophy while his then-teammate Kobe Bryant kisses the NBA championship trophy as they celebrate in the locker room after winning the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers on June 19, 2000. [Reuters]

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant dives for a loose ball during their NBA game against the Chicago Bulls in Los Angeles, March 10, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL) - — Bryant diving for a loose ball during their NBA game against the Chicago Bulls in Los Angeles, on March 10, 2013. [Lucy Nicholson/Reuters]

U.S. President Barack Obama slaps Kobe Bryant on the back as they put together care packages for the military and homeless people at the Boys and Girls Club of Washington, December 13, 2010. REUTERS — Former US President Barack Obama slaps Kobe Bryant on the back as they put together care packages for the military and homeless people at the Boys and Girls Club of Washington, on December 13, 2010. [Jason Reed/Reuters]

Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant has the ball swatted away by Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan (L) during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Toronto, February 12, — Bryant has the ball swatted away by Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Toronto, on February 12, 2012. [Mark Blinch/Reuters]