By AJ Virtuz |

Kobe Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna, 13, were among of the nine people who were killed in a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif on Monday, January 27.

Michael Jordan, a six-time NBA Champion is one of many who mourned the death of Kobe Bryant, stated that the retired NBA star was “like a little brother” to him.

“I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe’s and Gianna’s passing,” said Jordan, regarded by many as the greatest basketball player in history.

“Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling. 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.” Jordan added in his statement.

Meanwhile, Grammys was opened in a tribute for Kobe’s loss.

Alicia Keys, who was the host for this year’s Grammys addressed the audience that everyone was feeling “crazy sadness” after the loss of the NBA icon.

"We're literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built," said Keys and later on told the audience to take the moment to hold Kobe and her daughter and feel them. The singer was afterwards joined by Boyz II Men to perform a bit of "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday," and ended by saying "We love you, Kobe."

"We're going to bring it all together and make sure we're celebrating the most powerful energy, the one thing that has the power to bring all of us together and that's music," she added.

Also, a group of fans of the basketball legend gathered throughout  the streets of Los Angeles around 10 in the morning to mourn his death.

"Being here is a little bit harder than I thought. Seeing the smoke is making it a little too real for me." said one of the fans as he gazed at the smoke at the hillside.

In 2018, Kobe Bryant won an Oscar for his animated short film “Dear Basketball,” a love letter for the sport that brought him to success.