Kobe Bryant Remembered: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell Mourn Loss of NBA Icon

Basketball Legends Mourn Loss of Kobe Bryant

The retired NBA star died in a helicopter crash

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, was among the basketball icons paying tribute to retired NBA star Kobe Bryant, 41, who was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday. Bryant was surpassed by LeBron James for the third spot on the all-time scoring list on Saturday. All three players starred for the Los Angeles Lakers. In a video posted on Twitter, Abdul-Jabbar, 72, lauded Bryant’s accomplishments and reminisced about meeting the future star as a child. Former Lakers superstar Earvin “Magic” Johnson, 60, praised Bryant for his work off the court in retirement. Eleven-time NBA champion Bill Russell, 85, used the hashtag “RIPMamba,” a reference to Bryant’s “Black Mamba” nickname in his playing days, in praising Bryant as “one of the best basketball minds in the history of the game.” Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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