RIP Kobe Bryant: A thank you video to Filipinos

NIKE

Kobe Bryant was able to play with Filipino basketball players when he was visiting Manila.

Updated Jan. 27, 9:30 a.m. to add details of the crash.

One of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game, Kobe Bryant, died today (Jan. 26) when his helicopter crashed into a California hillside. He was 41-years old.

The eight other passengers on the copter included Bryant's 13-year old daughter Gianna, and Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Kerry, and their daughter Alyssa were also among the dead. Other victims were Christina Mauser, Bryant's assistant coach in youth basketball, along with Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton, who was reportedly a teammate of Gianna and the pilot, Ara Zobayan.

The group was on their way to a basketball game, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.

The helicopter, a Sikorsky S-76, went down in Calabasas, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, after departing John Wayne Airport in Orange County at 9:06 a.m. PT. The first indication of a problem came at 9:47 a.m.

The foggy weather may have played a role in limiting visibility. Communications with air traffic controllers indicated the craft was flying low to the ground dipping in and out of radar in the hilly terrain. Investigation into the cause of the crash continue.

The 6-foot-6 small forward entered the NBA straight out of high school. In 1996, at the age of 17, he became the youngest player in NBA history. His nickname became the Black Mamba (a deadly quick-striking snake).

He won five NBA titles in his 18 years with the Lakers, as well as two Olympic gold medals playing for the United States. Now fourth on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 33,643 points, Bryant won two NBA Finals MVP awards and one NBA regular-season MVP nod in 2008, according to ESPN.

The House of Kobe in Valenzuela City, Philippines.

Hours before news of the crash spread across the world, a new basketball court called the House of Kobe was dedicated in Valenzuela City, Philippines.

"I can't understand it. Just 12 hours' gap from ribbon cutting and hearing the news," said Congressman Eric Martinez, the man behind The House of Kobe, part of the city's sports center.

"Everyone has been fighting back tears today. This is a basketball-loving natio," he said.

In 2016, on his Mamba Mentality Tour, he stopped in the Philippines where fans are passionate about basketball. He was honored with the retirement of his No. 24 jersey at a Manila arena.

“It’s good to be back in Manila,” Bryant said, who had visited the Philippines seven times during his career. “It’s always fun to come here with so much passion that surrounds the game.”

Having the Mamba Mentality, explained Bryant, is about the urge to become better than what you are before.

In the Mamba Mentality Tour, Bryant hopes to impart the lesson to the younger generation and inspire them to constantly strive to be better.

Through the courtesy of Nike, sponsors of the tour, he left behind this video "thank you."