Flea Pays Tribute To Kobe Bryant: "To See Him Go Like This Is Just Devastating"

Following the tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on January 26 which killed all nine people on board including Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea has paid tribute to the late NBA star.

The bassist is a longtime fan of Kobe's team the Los Angeles Lakers, and he appeared on ESPN over the weekend to pay tribute to the basketball player's immense talents both on and off the court.

“He was someone we all loved,” Flea said in a moving tribute to Kobe. “He came when he was 17 years old to the Lakers – I met him when he was 17 years old. He came as this arrogant kid, wildly shooting 3s in his first game… but he was always a leader, always bold. As his career went on, he became humbler and kinder and started to learn how to lift up his teammates.

“Then he retires and we watch him evolve even more,” he added. “He’s a storyteller: he’s putting out kids’ books, he’s coaching a girls’ basketball team — and to see him go like this is just devastating, [as well as the loss of] his beautiful little girl [Gianna].”

At the time of 41-year-old Kobe's death, Flea immediately posted a heartfelt message on Instagram stating that the sportsman brought him "oodles of joy".

"After stumbling around in shock this morning, then weeping, my wife and I sat in our morning prayers and devoted them to the Bryant family," Flea wrote. "Kobe, by virtue of his passion, intelligence, discipline, ferocious spirit and thoughtfulness, brought me oodles of joy. He inspired and uplifted me. I was in awe of him. He brought our city together, all of us. The fact that he embraced me warmly the few times we met touched my heart. To see him grow the way he did, from an unapologetically intense competitor, then at the end of his career, becoming wiser, kinder, grateful and loving in his role as a pillar of Los Angeles, was as inspiring as his immortal acts on the hardwood. His love with his family, seeing his beautiful little girl Gianna bust her turn around jumpers, and him being there for her at every turn warmed my heart. May their souls be in bliss with God. The energy he brought to this earth will always be remembered. My condolences and love to the Bryant family. I mourn today."

The names of all nine victims of the helicopter crash were recently confirmed.

As well as Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, Payton Chester, 13; Sarah Chester, 45; Alyssa Altobelli, 14; Keri Altobelli, 46; John Altobelli, 56; Christina Mauser, 38; and the pilot, Ara Zobayan, 50, all lost their lives.

The cause of death was determined to be "blunt force trauma".