Gianna Maria, GiGi, has been confirmed as one of the five people killed on board Kobe Bryant's helicopter this morning when it crashed in Calabasas after reports of a small fire.

GiGi was a true daddy's girl and followed religiously in Bryant's footsteps with hopes to become one of the greats on the basketball court. The pair were travelling to a Mamba Academy basketball practice near Thousand Oaks when the accident occurred. 

At just 13-years-old, the avid basketball player was regularly seen courtside at Laker's fixtures with her dad whilst her own games often featured on Kobe's social media as he spoke fondly of her progression. GiGi certainly had her father's talent and was growing up before his eyes, steadily becoming the next female Kobe Bryant. 

Bryant's wife Vanessa is not thought to be on board and neither are their other three daughters - Natalia, Bianca and newborn Capri. 

This heartbreaking news has shaken the basketball community tonight but we remember Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Maria who will forever be a young basketball queen.