Basketball legend

He was 41.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the crash occurred shortly before 10 am local time in foggy conditions in the hills above Calabasas.

A fire broke out and emergency personnel responded but found no survivors, according to TMZ.

TMZ reported that eyewitnesses to the crash heard the helicopter sputtering before it went down.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Bryant, who is struggling through the worst season of his illustrious 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, said in a piece posted on the Players' Tribune website that "I'm ready to let go."

The decision was not totally unexpected as the 37-year-old Lakers guard and five time NBA champion has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons and had recently said he was considering retirement.