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Kobe Bryant seen coaching daughter Gigi a day before helicopter crash in heartbreaking photo

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Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were pictured at a basketball game together a day before a tragic helicopter crash claimed both of their lives.

The five-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist died alongside 13-year-old Gianna, known as Gigi, in the incident in California on Sunday morning.

Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva said nine people, including the pilot, died in the crash. Victims included baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri Altobelli, and their daughter Alyssa Altobelli, who was one of Gigi's teammates.

In the final photo, proud father Kobe, 41, can be seen giving Gigi tips on what to do next at Kobe's Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California.

Kobe Bryant (24) kisses his daughter Gianna on the court in warm-ups before first half NBA All-Star Game basketball action in Toronto on Feb. 14 2016 (AP)
Kobe Bryant (24) kisses his daughter Gianna on the court in warm-ups before first half NBA All-Star Game basketball action in Toronto on Feb. 14 2016 (AP)

The basketball legend watched from the sidelines as Gigi's Mamba team played two eighth grade girls games. The eighth grade in America is roughly equivalent to year 9 in the UK.

It was Gigi's dream to one day play in the WNBA.

A video of Kobe analysing a game with his daughter has been widely shared on social media following their deaths.

Born in Philadelphia in 1978, Bryant, who was married to wife Vanessa and had three other daughters, Natalia, Bianca and Capri, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to appear in the NBA and spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Gigi was a promising player herself, who Bryant had previously said would carry on his legacy.

He was drafted in 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets at number 13, but was quickly traded to the Lakers where he would go on to become an 18-time NBA All-Star.

Kobe Bryant carries his daughter Gianna, as his wife Vanessa and daughter Natalia (2nd R) stand next to him in an old photograph (Reuters)
Kobe Bryant carries his daughter Gianna, as his wife Vanessa and daughter Natalia (2nd R) stand next to him in an old photograph (Reuters)

Bryant stood third in the all-time NBA points list until Saturday night, when current Laker LeBron James pushed him down to fourth place. Bryant scored 33,643 points in his NBA career.

James had told NBA.com after the game: “I’m just happy to be in any conversation with Kobe Bryant, one of the all-time greats to ever play.”

In one of his final tweets Bryant wrote on Saturday night: “Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother.”

Fans were quick to leave flowers and other tributes to Bryant outside the Lakers’ arena the Staples Center on Sunday as well as Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks.

Emotional tributes were held before a number of the day’s NBA games, as well as the NFL’s Pro Bowl in Orlando.

The NBA schedule continued on Sunday, with teams purposely taking 24-second shot-clock violations and eight-second back-court violations to start the game in tribute, while Paris St Germain forward Neymar made a ’24’ gesture with his hands after scoring against Lille in Ligue 1.