Korean athletes, fans in mourning over Kobe Bryant's death

Basketball players from Wonju DB Promy pay silent tribute to Kobe Bryant before their game against the Seoul Samsung Thunders at Wonju Gymnasium in Gangwon Province, Monday. Yonhap

The Seoul Samsung Thunders' guard Chun Ki-bum wears shoes with condolence messages during a game against the Wonju DB Promy at Wonju Gymnasium in Gangwon Province, Monday. Yonhap

By Jung Min-ho

Korean athletes, sports fans and celebrities have paid tribute to Kobe Bryant after his death in a helicopter crash.

Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star and five-time NBA champion, and his daughter Gianna, 13, were among nine people killed Sunday (local time) when a helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California. He was 41.

The Korean Basketball League reacted with an outpouring of grief and disbelief. The Anyang KGC and the Seoul SK Knights started their game that day with intentional 24- and eight-second clock violations in honor of Bryant's two jersey numbers. Bryant wore the numbers during his decorated 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Some players, including the KGC's Brandon Brown and SK Knights' Jameel Warney, put short messages such as “RIP/Remember” on their shoes.

“I hope he rests in peace,” SK Knights' Choi Joon-yong wrote on Instagram.

“During my school years, I tried to mimic his moves. I will always admire you,” wrote Jeong Hyo-geun, a former member of the Korean team for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

In this Feb. 23, 2006, photo, Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, top, goes up for a shot between the Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce, left, and Al Jefferson during an NBA game in Los Angeles. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career, died in a helicopter crash Sunday (local time). AP

Stars have also have offered their condolences.

On the red carpet at the 2020 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, members of BTS offered their condolences to Bryant's family, saying they were big fans.

“Our thoughts are with his family, and big respect … We have been always his fans, and the world will remember him,” RM reportedly said on behalf of the group.

Many others, including singer Jay Park and actor Daniel Henney, have expressed their sorrow on social media.