NEW YORK -  The incredible life and tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant had many devastated fans flocking to a tribute in lights Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

“He inspired so many. He was an upstanding human and it’s also a shame that his daughter was involved in the crash," said one fan.

“He was just a great person, a great father. My heart and my condolences go out to his wife. I can’t even fathom what his wife must feel right now to lose a 13 year old, plus a husband on top of that," said another fan.

Many fans tell NY1 they held out hope the initial reports of Bryant’s death were part of a hoax.

One fan who came to the NBA Store Sunday in Midtown Sunday said despite being born and raised in New York City.The Lakers became his favorite team after Bryant joined right out of high school in 1996.

"I idolized Kobe. When my girlfriend Priscilla told me the news, I literally just broke down into tears," said the fan. "It was hard. Just his determination, his work ethic, the fact that he never settled, he always pushed himself to continue to be great."

The eventual confirmation of Bryant’s death had friends from California, who are lifelong Lakers fans, in tears.

"I’m sad. I just got off the phone with my sister, telling her the news back in California. She’s just like just try and relax and try and enjoy your time there because we should be home, with our families," said the California resident.

After learning about Bryant’s death the friends bought T-shirts that feature the number 81, which pays tribute to Bryant’s incredible game against the Raptors just over 14 years ago in which he scored 81 points.

"Everything we do today will be for Kobe. We’re going to live for him, honor him and we are never going to forget Kobe Bryant ever," said the California resident.

Meanwhile, federal investigators are looking into what caused Sunday's helicopter crash that killed the NBA legend, his teenage daughter and seven others.

The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to release a preliminary report within the next 10 days.

It's suspected that bad weather and low visibility played roles in the crash in Calabasas, about 30 miles outside Los Angeles.

The chopper was flying in foggy conditions that were considered dangerous enough that local police agencies grounded their helicopters.

Bryant was taking his 13-year-old daughter Gianna to a basketball tournament along with another player and her parents when the chopper went down.

Bryant won five NBA titles, an MVP Award, and made 18 All-Star teams in his twenty years with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He's expected to be a first ballot Hall of Famer when he's first eligible for the honor later this year.

The 41-year-old is survived by his wife and three other daughters.