Los Angeles (AFP)

The death of former NBA star Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash on Sunday has shaken the basketball world, both in the United States and abroad. The greatest athletes wanted to pay tribute to the one who was their opponent, their mentor, their inspiration or their executioner on the floors.

"My heart is broken by this news. You were a true legend and a friend. Rest in peace Kobe Bryant, my thoughts and my prayers go to his wife and children # legend #mamba #goat", reacted on Twitter Tony Parker, who faced Bryant with San Antonio for fifteen years, notably during breathless series of play-offs in the West.

Spaniard Pau Gasol, who won two NBA titles with Kobe in the Lakers jersey, said he was "worse than devastated". "My big brother ... I just can't believe it."

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane also expressed his disbelief after his team's 1-0 victory in Valladolid in the Spanish Championship: "It's terrible, it's terrible news, which affects everyone, all of us. I can't say anything more ... This is very sad news, it saddens me a lot. "

His club issued an official statement in which he said he was "deeply saddened to learn of the death of basketball and world sport legend Kobe Bryant": "The club wishes to convey its condolences to his family and friends for this disappearance that hit the sports world, "he added.

- "RIP LA LEGENDE" -

"I don't even know where to start. I started playing basketball thanks to KOBE while watching the 2010 finals. I had never played basketball before that, and these finals changed my life. I WANTED TO BE LIKE KOBE. I'm SO SAD there! RIP THE LEGEND ", reacted Joel Embiid, the Cameroonian star from Philadelphia, Kobe's birth city.

"I'm devastated. Words can't even describe it. Today is just an incredibly sad and tragic day," said Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, who alongside Michael Jordan dominated the NBA in the 1990s. before the advent of Bryant.

The young Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, representative of this new generation who did not face the "Black Mamba" but grew up admiring it, thanked the Lakers star: "All the lessons, all the advice. words you addressed to me ... It will stay with me forever ".

"We miss you already my brother. Rest in peace," said American football superstar Tom Brady, one of the greatest athletes in the history of American sport.

- Vibrant tributes -

During the NBA matches disputed in the afternoon of Sunday, several vibrant tributes were paid to him.

Under the applause of the San Antonio public, the Toronto Raptors players let the 24 seconds of their first possession of the match pass, in tribute to the number 24 worn by Bryant.

The impact of this tragedy was felt everywhere in the United States, the news making the front pages of the websites and looping on televisions.

President Donald Trump reacted by evoking "terrible news". Former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden also paid tribute to the Lakers' former back during a campaign meeting in Iowa. "It makes you realize that every day has to count."

His predecessor in the White House, Barack Obama, a great basketball fan, paid tribute to him: "Kobe was a legend on the floors and began to be in what would have been an equally strong second act".

The world of music and film, which Kobe encountered during his 20 years in California, also expressed his sadness.

Rap legend Snoop Dogg, a quasi-tutelary figure in the city of Los Angeles and a huge Lakers fan before the Lord, said he was "heartbroken".

"The world has lost a giant today. Rest in peace Kobe Bryant," said rap and pop superstar Pharrell Williams.

A shower of tributes that should continue during the evening during the Grammy ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the land of exploits of the "Black Mamba" for two decades.

© 2020 AFP