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Kobe Bryant: Life in pictures

US basketball legend Kobe Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna, 13, have died in a helicopter crash in the city of Calabasas, California. Seven other passengers were also killed.

Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, played for the LA Lakers throughout his career and is considered one of the greatest players in the game's history.

Robyn Beck / AFP Kobe Bryant looks on during the Lakers NBA match with the Toronto Raptors in California 2015.

Here is a selection of photos looking back over his career.

Kobe Bryant made his debut in the 1996-97 season and spent 20 seasons with the Lakers. He is seen here in 2001 playing against Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles.

Vince Bucci / Getty images Kobe Bryant during a Lakers game against Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles in 2001 — Kobe Bryant made his debut in the 1996-97 season and spent 20 seasons with the Lakers. He is seen here in 2001 playing against Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles.

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Bryant scored 33,643 regular season points, putting him fourth on the all-time scoring list. He is seen here outpassing Orlando Magic's Mickael Pietrus and Rashard Lewis during the NBA final between Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic in California in 2009.

Gabriel Bouys / AFP Kobe Bryant outpasses Orlando Magic's Mickael Pietrus and Rashard Lewis during the NBA final between Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. — Bryant scored 33,643 regular season points, putting him fourth on the all-time scoring list. He is seen here outpassing Orlando Magic's Mickael Pietrus and Rashard Lewis during the NBA final between Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic in California in 2009.

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He made the All-NBA First Team selection 11 times, second-equal with Karl Malone. Bryant is seen above celebrating victory at the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic in Florida in 2009.

Emmanuel Dunand / AFP Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates victory following Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic in Florida in 2009 — He made the All-NBA First Team selection 11 times, second-equal with Karl Malone. Bryant is seen above celebrating victory at the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic in Florida in 2009.

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Former US President Barack Obama posed with Bryant (centre) and Derek Fisher during an event with the 2008-2009 NBA Champions in 2010.

Jim Watson / AFP Former US President Barack Obama poses with Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher — Former US President Barack Obama posed with Bryant (centre) and Derek Fisher during an event with the 2008-2009 NBA Champions in 2010.

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Bryant is recorded to have played for 48,637 minutes, which is the eighth-highest total in the NBA. He is seen below slam dunking whilst playing against the Sacramento Kings during their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles in 2011.

Lucy Nicholson / Reuters Kobe Bryant slam dunks against the Sacramento Kings during their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles in 2011. — Bryant is recorded to have played for 48,637 minutes, which is the eighth-highest total in the NBA. He is seen below slam dunking whilst playing against the Sacramento Kings during their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles in 2011.

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Bryant dunks the ball whilst playing against Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City in 2012.

Larry W. Smith / EPA Kobe Bryant dunks the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City, 2012. — Bryant dunks the ball whilst playing against Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City in 2012.

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Bryant slam dunks against Nigeria during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The US team won the gold medal at the games.

Christian Petersen / Getty Images Kobe Bryant slam dunks against Nigeria at the London 2012 Olympic Games — Bryant slam dunks against Nigeria during the Men's Basketball Preliminary Round match of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The US team won the gold medal at the games.

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Bryant won four All-Star MVP Awards, a record that is tied with Bob Pettit for the most in NBA history.

Michael Nelson / EPA Kobe Bryant tries to get by Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson and teammate Rudy Gay during their NBA game in Los Angeles, California, 2014. — Bryant won four All-Star MVP Awards, a record that is tied with Bob Pettit for the most in NBA history.

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Fans reach out to touch Kobe Bryant as he leaves the court after defeating the Utah Jazz in 2016. The game was his last after a 20 year career with the Lakers

Mike Nelson / EPA Fans reach out to touch Kobe Bryant as he leaves the court after defeating the Utah Jazz in 2016. — Fans reach out to touch Kobe Bryant as he leaves the court after defeating the Utah Jazz in 2016. The game was his last after a 20 year career with the Lakers

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Turning his hand to filmmaking, Bryant won an Oscar for best short animated film in 2018 for Dear Basketball, a five-minute film based on a love letter he wrote to the sport. He is seen above at the 90th Annual Academy Awards with this wife Vanessa Laine.

AFP Kobe Bryant at the 90th Annual Academy Awards with this wife Vanessa Laine — Turning his hand to filmmaking, Bryant won an Oscar for best short animated film in 2018 for Dear Basketball, a five-minute film based on a love letter he wrote to the sport. He is seen above at the 90th Annual Academy Awards with this wife Vanessa Laine.

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Bryant is pictured with his daughter Gianna, who also died in the helicopter accident, at the WNBA All Star Game in 2019.

Reuters Kobe Bryant is pictured with his daughter Gianna at the WNBA All Star Game in 2019. — Bryant is pictured with his daughter Gianna, who also died in the helicopter accident, at the WNBA All Star Game in 2019.

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His 48,637 minutes played is the eighth-highest total in the NBA. Flowers were laid next to a mural of the player in downtown Los Angeles.

Getty Images Flowers are laid next to a mural of the player in downtown Los Angeles. — His 48,637 minutes played is the eighth-highest total in the NBA. Flowers were laid next to a mural of the player in downtown Los Angeles.

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