Filipina American among victims in Kobe Bryant helicopter tragedy

Christina and Matt Mauser

Among the nine passengers that died when Kobe Bryant's helicopter crashed was Filipina American girls basketball coach Christina Mauser.

Bryant had selected the 38-year-old mother of three to teach defense to his daughter's  Mamba Academy basketball team. Bryant's daughter, 13-year old Gianna, was also killed in the crash.

Her husband Matt, 38, holding back tears, opened up about his family situation on both social media and to media outlets.

"He didn't choose Christina for just any ordinary reason," Matt said. "She was extraordinary. She was incredibly witty, funny, funny like nobody you've ever met."

"I got three small kids and am trying to figure out how to navigate life with 3 kids and no mom," Matt told NBC News.

The couple are both basketball coaches in Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar, California.

Bryant's helicopter was carrying its passengers from his residence in Orange County to a youth basketball academy – Mamba Academy – northwest of Los Angeles when it crashed in a fog-shrouded mountainside near Calabasa, California. The academy is a basketball facility founded by baskeball legend Bryant, whose nickname is the Black Mamba.

The mayor of Costa Mesa -- about 40 miles from Los Angeles --- also tweeted about Mauser.

"This devastating tragedy gets worse by the hour," Mayor Katrina Foley tweeted. "So much pain for so many local families. Our hearts are broken & grieving for the families impacted."

Other passengers who perished in the copter crash included John Altobelli, a champion baseball coach at Orange Coast College, was killed along with his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa. Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, and pilot Ara Zobayan.

US Rep. Harley E. Rouda of California called the loss of life "incalculable."

"Today our neighbors lost parents, children, friends, coaches and heroes," he said. "Orange County is grieving, but we will find solace and purpose in the example they left behind."

Jordan Clarkson reacts to his idol Kobe Bryant's death

Jordan Clarkson, who played with Kobe Bryant early in his career on the LA Lakers team. He thanked Bryant for being "more than a teammate," one of many athletes who took to social media expressing their grief over Bryant's death on Sunday.

Filipino American Clarkson, who was traded by the Lakers to the Cleveland Cavaliers, then to the Utah Jazz this off-season, is the only Asian American playing in the NBA since the departure of Jeremy Lin. Lin, who was now plays in China with a professional basketball team, the Beijing Ducks.

Clarkson was one of only 18 players invited to take part in Bryant's mini-camp last summer.

But the soon-to-be free agent spent the summer trying to transform into a different kind of beast, developing the Mamba Mentality while working out with legend Kobe Bryant.

“Those were like the best two days of my summer,” Clarkson said. “He sat us down and we had a whole schedule. I feel like those two days I learned so much and it was great. Amazing process.”

Clarkson's takeaway from the camp was developing that the Mamba Mentality. It’s about a player constantly trying to be the best version of himself. It’s about improving each day.

Upon hearing about Bryant's death, Lin, who was also a former teammate of Bryant and Clarkson on the Lakers, posted this on his twitter account:

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."