Social media was filled with photographs, memories and stories of Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant as people looked back at his life and career.

Somehow, with all that has happened between that awful moment and now, it remains surreal and hard to believe that it was five years ago today that Kobe Bean Bryant, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others,

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement on the 5-year anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s passing: “Kobe Bryant continues to serve as an inspiration to aspiring and current NBA and WNBA players, young athletes playing at all levels and those who are motivated solely by his relentless pursuit of excellence.

The tragedy was met with countless tributes, mourning, and remembrance from the sports community. Five years later, their legends live on. The NBA world reacted to the anniversary of the Bryants' death across social media on Sunday. Here's a look:

Five years after NBA great Kobe Bryant, 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in California, several women’s basketball players reflected on what he meant to their game and how he championed it.

A Denver-based artist was commissioned by Nike to paint a Kobe Bryant mural in Venice Beach. An Instagram post featuring the piece has been viewed 2 million times.

Even with all of 2020's tragedies, the events of Jan. 26 still devastate. On the anniversary of that horrific crash, we remember Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna and the other seven souls lost.

Kobe was a hooper. And his aura, validation and embrace extended immeasurably into women’s hoops. He confirmed they are hoopers, too. He was an advocate for them to reach the mainstream of sports fandom. He shared in their belief of worthiness. His value to them and their game is unquestioned. Though he’s gone, they still feel it.

The G.O.A.T Kobe Bryant met one of his biggest inspirations at an NBA game and revealed how he crafted his discipline because of the film.

Five years ago on January 26, 2020, the world lost Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in a tragic helicopter crash. Tributes poured in all day including one from Bryant’s one-time Los Angeles Lakers star teammate Shaquille O’Neal.

January 26, 2025, is the fifth anniversary of the helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others when Kobe was only 41 years old.