NBA players mourn death of rapper Nipsey Hussle

Rapper Nipsey Hussle, whose 2018 album Victory Lap was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, died Sunday after a shooting in his native Los Angeles.

Hussle, born Ermias Davidson Asghedom, broke through to the mainstream last year after a long run as an independent artist, and was a noted NBA fan who particularly connected with Nuggets guard Isaiah Thomas. And Warriors guard Stephen Curry interviewed Hussle last July as part of his 5 Minutes from Home series on YouTube.

As news of Sunday’s incident surfaced and quickly spread, raw emotions poured from social media accounts across the NBA.

NBA reacts Nipsey Hussle – Curated tweets by NBAcom

After the Warriors’ 137-90 victory over Charlotte on Saturday, Curry addressed Hussle’s passing during the postgame press conference.

Steph Curry had developed a recent friendship with Nipsey Hussle. He shares some thoughts on his death. pic.twitter.com/sBeD4YnOQz

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 1, 2019