By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Reactions from the world of basketball following the first reports of Kobe Bryant’s death ranged from complete disbelief to absolute heartbreak. Some players, like Kobe’s longtime Los Angeles Lakers teammate Pau Gasol, weren’t even able to comment anything due to being in shock over the tragic news.
Maccabi Tel Aviv center and former NBAer Amar’e Stoudemire, who faced Bryant numerous times in his career and was his teammate with Team USA, was at a loss for words when asked about the “Mamba’s” death during a game.
“Thank you, Kobe. Rest In Peace,” FIBA tweeted.
“Much too soon, world basketball has lost one of the great players and ambassadors, Kobe Bryant, who touched the lives of anyone who loved our sport,” EuroLeague CEO Jordi Bertomeu said in an official statement by the organization.
Here are some reactions by European basketball representatives and EuroLeague clubs: