Kobe Bryant's legacy honoured in emotional memorial

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on Monday to honour Kobe and Gianna Bryant.

Former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Bryant, 41, and Gianna, 13, were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in January.

Kobe's wife Vanessa opened the memorial with an emotional tribute to her "baby girl" and her "soulmate". 

"God knew they couldn't be on this Earth without each other," Vanessa said. "He had to bring them home to have them together." 

NBA legends Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal also took to the stage to remember their late friend. 

"When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died," said an emotional Jordan. Meanwhile, O'Neal called Kobe "Heaven's MVP" and added: "Kobe and I always held a deep respect and love for one another."

The memorial also saw performances from Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera.