Los Angeles Lakers fans have begun assembling a memorial dedicated to Kobe Bryant just outside the Staples Center following news of Bryant's tragic death in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning in Calabasas:

Bryant and four others were killed in the crash, news of which was first reported by TMZ.

For years, the Lakers were a franchise synonymous with Magic Johnson. Yet even Magic would agree — Kobe became the definitive figure in the Purple in Gold during his two decades in Hollywood.

Kobe spent the entirety of his 20-year career with the Lakers. He retired as the third-leading scorer in NBA history and a five-time NBA champion. From a kid that entered the league straight out of high school to an aging veteran that scored 60 points in his final game, Kobe provided Laker fans with some of the most unforgettable moments in franchise history.

Bryant's legacy will not soon be forgotten in L.A., nor in the sporting world at large.

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