LeBron James, a close friend of the late Kobe Bryant, has broken his silence following the basketball player and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna's death in a helicopter crash on Sunday. Posting several photos of the pair together as well as Kobe's final tweet, where he had congratulated LeBron on becoming the third-highest point scorer in NBA history, he wrote: "I’m not ready but here I go. Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had!"
LeBron paid tribute to Kobe
He continued: "I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have... I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother! Man I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all here especially and it’s my responsibility to put this... on my back and keep it going! Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me! I got US here! There’s so much more I want to say but just can’t right now because I can’t get through it! Until we meet again my brother!" He added the hashtags "#Mamba4Life" and "Gigi4Life".
LeBron said that he was heartbroken
READ: Celebrities react to shock death of Kobe Bryant, 41, and his daughter, 13, in helicopter crash
Nine people, John Altobelli, his wife Keri and their daughter Alyssa, Christina Mause, Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton Chester and the pilot, Ara Zobayan, died in the helicopter crash on Sunday. Kylie Jenner revealed that she had travelled with Ara, and was among those to pay tribute on Instagram, writing: "That was the helicopter I would fly on from time to time with that pilot, Ara. He was such a nice man."
READ: Priyanka Chopra paid tribute to Kobe Bryant at the Grammys with her manicure