Los Angeles Lakers and NBA legend Kobe Bryant was killed in a tragic helicopter crash alongside 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, in Calabasas, California, en route to a travel basketball game on Sunday. Despite the NBA's not canceling its slate of games today, the National Basketball Players Association released a statement about the former player, 41, losing his life.

“We are stunned and devastated by the news of the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant,” the NBPA said in a statement today. “Words cannot express his impact on our Players, the NBA and the game of basketball.”

Read the players' association's full statement below.

Bryant retired following two decades in the NBA—all with the Lakers—at the end of the 2015-16 season. A five-time champion with L.A., Kobe was an eighteen-time All-Star and icon in the game of basketball in the U.S. and abroad for fans of the game. After retiring nearly four years ago, Bryant had spent time with his four daughters and wife Vanessa along with producing an Academy Award–winning short film “Dear Basketball.”

Bryant's third place in NBA all-time scoring was eclipsed just last night by current Lakers forward LeBron James in the retired shooting guard's hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bryant's final tweet was congratulating James on surpassing him:

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Lakers Nuggets Game 1 Prediction

RB Hayek ·

Hawks star Trae Young could be traded to the Lakers, Spurs, Pelicans or Nets

Sonny Giuliano ·

Nikola Jokic saying "new year, new series..." Nuggets logo and the Lakers logo with a "vs." between the logos.

Rachel Strand ·

Bryant also holds the record for second-most points in a single game when he scored 81 against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.

On Sunday afternoon, the Raptors and  San Antonio Spurs held a moment of silence pre-game for Bryant's passing, and at the start of the game each side took a 24-second shot-clock violation in memory of Bryant, who wore the jersey number 24 for the latter part of his career..

Bryant's impact on the league is no doubt immense and nearly indescribable how he influenced the current generation of players, coaches, and athletes.