ALBION players have paid tribute after it was confirmed that basketball legend Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

The former Los Angeles Lakers star was confirmed as one of the nine people on board in the crash which occurred in Calabasas, California.

Albion keeper Maty Ryan posted a tribute on Instagram to the 41-year-old and said: "RIP legend".

The Argus:

Shane Duffy wrote: "RIP" and Gaetan Bong said: "Legends live forever".

Bryant was traveling with eight other people - including 13-year-old daughter Gianna - in his private helicopter when it crashed, killing everyone on board.

Officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded to reports of the crash near Las Virgenes Rd and Willow Glen St in Calabasas at around 10am after a fire broke out.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Witnesses reported hearing the helicopter's engine sputtering before it went down.

Bryant established himself as one of the most transcendent sportsman in his generation and quivckly became universally adored across the globe.

Paris Saint-Germain, Inter, AC Milan and a host of other top European football teams were quick to offer their condolences after the news broke on Sunday evening.