WNBA Mourns Death of Kobe Bryant & His Daughter Gianna, a WNBA Hopeful

Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna are being remembered by the WNBA.

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert took to Twitter on Sunday (January 26) to mourn the 41-year-old basketball icon and his 13-year-old daughter after they tragically died in a helicopter crash.

“The WNBA mourns the sudden and tragic loss of NBA Great Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. Kobe’s support for the WNBA and women’s basketball along with his passion for helping young girls and boys follow their dreams made him a true legend for our sport,” the statement reads. “We admired him not just as a legendary basketball player, but as a father, a youth coach, and a role mode for future generations of athletes. On behalf of the WNBA, it is an incredibly sad day for all of us and we send our deepest condolences to his family, and all those who mourn his passing.”

Kobe has been a long supporter of the WNBA and his daughter Gianna was following his footsteps in pursuing a career in basketball.

The two were on their way to the Mamba Academy for a basketball practice when the helicopter crashed, which is located nearby Thousand Oaks.

READ MORE: Celebrities React to Kobe Bryant’s Tragic Death