PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - The tragic death of basketball superstar Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and 7 others in a helicopter crash Sunday has prompted a wave of reactions from Pittsburgh sports figures.
Former Schenley High School, Pitt, and NBA player DeJuan Blair played against Bryant. "It's real tough. I still feel sick to my stomach," said Blair. "Disbelief."
Blair says he first met Bryant when Schenley played against Kobe's former high school, Lower Merion, in a state championship game.
"He was just getting started," Blair told KDKA radio's Lynne Hayes-Freeland. "He was young. I believe off the court he was going to be more iconic that on the court."
Steelers running back James Conner tweeted he met Bryant for the first time last week to talk about their books. "I told Kobe I'm tryna be legendary like him ..."
Mt Lebanon native and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tweeted, "I hope we all remember that Kobe and Gianna have brought our country closer together than anyone has in a generation."
Pitt basketball player Ryan Murphy who grew up in the Los Angeles area tweeted he wears number 24 in Kobe's honor. "The reason for the 24. May God rest your soul."
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