Michigan Sports Legends Pay Tribute To Kobe Bryant

MICHIGAN — Sports legends around Michigan are reacting to the death of famed Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

Bryant, 41, was killed along with one of his daughters and seven other people in a helicopter crash into a hillside near Malibu Sunday morning.

Fellow NBA players and coaches around Michigan shared their memories with Bryant and his legacy.

Here's what some of them had to say.

Richard Hamilton:

Ben Wallace:

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Shocked, speechless, completely unbelievable... #mambamentality -He wanted to be the greatest player to ever played game. Not only did he achieve a level of greatness he took greatness as a basketball player to a new level. He left it all on the stage with every performance. You will be remembered forever and you will be truly missed but never forgotten #mamba.prayers are with the Bryant family and thanks for being so unselfish in sharing such a amazing athlete who made the transition off the court to prove to world what many athletes struggle with in letting the world know basketball is what I did not who I am. #gianna gone to soon.. lay down,lay down,lay down rest my brother your work here is done and the impact you made on everybody life will last them a lifetime...#8#24#brotherhood#family #champion
A post shared by Ben Wallace (@fear_da_fro) on Jan 26, 2020 at 7:04pm PST

Chauncey Billups:

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I’m crushed....The tragic news today on Kobe and his daughter Gigi got me deep in my feelings. Kobe was the hardest working dude I ever competed against. Paid the price for greatness everyday. Most of us skipped days, he didn’t. THANK YOU Kobe. You pushed me to be better every time we locked in. My first born @cydney.renee went against me because we were playing against YOU. There will never be another Kobe in my humble opinion. Rest easy Kob and GiGi.
A post shared by Chauncey Billups (@1mrbigshot) on Jan 26, 2020 at 4:18pm PST

Tom Izzo: