Jimmy Fallon pays tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant

Basketball icon Kobe Bryant died along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, California on Monday morning (Manila time).

With the passing of Bryant, many of his friends and fans had shared their memories with the late NBA legend, including late-night host Jimmy Fallon.

On the latest episode of "Tonight with Jimmy Fallon," Fallon paid tribute to Kobe and said he "was such a life force, so strong and creative and inspired that in my head, he thought he was going to live forever."

Fallon also recalled how he and Bryant first met at a party in Los Angeles. Bryant was just 17 then and he was just starting out with the Lakers, while Fallon was 21 and was just beginning his career in the comedy scene.

According to Fallon, they didn't know anyone at the party so they just started talking and hit it off.

Bryant volunteered to make a beer run for the group and invited Fallon to come along, in what would wind up being the first of their many memories together.

Fallon then shared their conversations together, including about fatherhood and life in general.

"When we would run to each other through the years, we would laugh about that night we first met," he said while shedding a tear.

"We laughed about all the good things that happened since. We laughed about how much fun it was to raise kids and all the stupid mistakes we've been trying to figure out how to be a good dad," Fallon added.

Bryant had four daughters (Natalia, Gianna, Bianka and Capri), while Fallon has two.

Fallon added Kobe was "one of the most brilliant and most respected players in NBA history."

And although he had passed away, Fallon said he knew Bryant enough to know that he rose to any challenge by digging deeper and getting back to work.

"So let's honor Kobe, Gianna and the other lives that were lost yesterday by following his example," he said.

"Love your family. Love your teammates and outwork everyone else in the gym," he added.

Fallon also said Bryant's passing does not mean goodbye.

"Kobe, when we meet again, we're going on a beer run," he said.

Bryant and Gianna were on their way to Thousand Oaks for a basketball game when the tragic accident occurred.

Meanwhile, authorities said there were visibility issues as the foggy weather forced the Los Angeles Police Department to ground their own helicopter fleet. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/MGP, GMA News