TORONTO -- Former U.S. President Barack Obama, Drake, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O鈥橬eal are among the thousands sharing their condolences for retired basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna .
, long-time rival and on-court Lakers partner Shaquille O'Neal called Bryant 鈥渕y brother鈥� and said he felt sick from the news.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW,鈥� he wrote. The post featured several photos of the two together.
NBA legend Michael Jordan which read in part, how he saw Bryant as a 鈥渓ittle brother鈥� and how words couldn鈥檛 describe the pain he was feeling.
, former U.S. President Barack Obama opined about the legacy of the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships.
鈥淜obe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淢ichelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.鈥�
After , the Toronto Raptors, who played the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, on the first possession of the game to honour Bryant.
Pau Gasol, a former teammate of Bryant, he was "beyond devastated" and "I can't, I just can't believe it.鈥�
Former San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker, who played in the NBA at the same time as Bryant, , 鈥滻鈥檓 heartbroken by this news, you were a true legend, and friend. Rest In Peace @kobebryant, my thoughts and prayers to his wife and kids.鈥�
Former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade was among the thousands of people honouring Bryant online and , 鈥淣ooooooooooo God please No!鈥�
鈥淏ad Boys鈥� star Martin Lawrence tweeted his sadness , 鈥淎t a loss for words. My heart, prayers, and condolences go out to the Bryant family.鈥�
Actress and host of 鈥淭he View鈥� Whoopi Goldberg voiced her sadness online, , 鈥淩IP Kobe, hero to many including my grandson, extraordinary athlete and always kind to me & my family. My deepest condolences to his family.鈥�
Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, who had Bryant on his show several times, a long condolence about the NBA legend.
鈥淗e was great, charismatic and among the hardest-working athletes ever, but what impressed me most was how deeply-involved Kobe was with his four daughters. Pray for them, Vanessa, his parents & his fellow passengers' families on this sad and shocking day. We will never forget you, Kobe,鈥� he wrote.
Former Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar posted a with the caption, 鈥渕ost people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete.鈥�
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement saying how the 鈥淣BA family is devastated by the tragic passing鈥� of Bryant and his daughter.
The Toronto Raptors organization and several other basketball clubs released condolences regarding the death of Bryant. Dallas Mavericks owner announcing the number 24 would be retired at the sports club. He called Bryant an 鈥渁mbassador for our game鈥� and a 鈥渄edicated father.鈥�
Chicago Bulls legend and six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen that he was stunned. 鈥淲ords can鈥檛 even come close to describing it. Just an incredibly sad and tragic day.鈥�
Professional golfer Tiger Woods after finishing a round during the Farmers Insurance Open. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a shocker to everyone. I鈥檓 unbelievably sad,鈥� before praising 叠谤测补苍迟鈥檚 his competitive spirit.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady posted a short tribute online , 鈥渨e miss you already, Kobe.鈥�
Former Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt also to say, 鈥淪till can鈥檛 believe,鈥� and posted a photo of the two embracing.
In the wake of the news, the Miami Heat issued a statement. "Our hearts are heavy with extreme sadness at this time," it read. "We extend our deepest prayers, thoughts and condolences to the family of Kobe Bryant and those affected in today's tragedy."
Toronto rapper Drake posted a short tribute on Instagram, , 鈥渋t can鈥檛 be.鈥� Pop star and singer Boy George wrote 鈥淧roper hit by the news about Kobe Bryant and everyone involved. Sad awful sad!鈥�
Los Angeles Chargers player Justin Jackson tweeted about the impact Bryant had on the sports world in general, , 鈥淐an鈥檛 put into words what this man meant to the sports community. Life is fleeting man.鈥�
Toronto FC forward Josmer Volmy "Jozy" Altidore , 鈥淜obe Bryant you鈥檙e an angel. RIP to you legend. So kind and had time for everyone. The epitome of class and hard work. An Idol. Prayers to his family.鈥�
U.S. President Donald Trump , 鈥渞eports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news!鈥�
鈥淭railer Park Boys鈥� star Bubbles , 鈥淪o sad to hear about Kobe Bryant. My heart goes out to his wife and daughters. #RIPKobeBryant鈥�
Comedian Frank Caliendo , 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know Kobe Bryant. I never met him. Yet, I am somehow affected by hearing about his sudden tragic death. I can鈥檛 explain it - other than thinking that this makes us all realize our own, and everyone else鈥檚 mortality. Truly a shock.鈥�
叠谤测补苍迟鈥檚 was honouring NBA legend LeBron James who had recently passed him on the NBA鈥檚 all-time scoring leaderboard on Saturday night.
鈥淐ontinuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother,鈥� he wrote.
