Celebrity basketball fans Hugh Hefner, Vince Neil, Rob Lowe and Adam Levine have paid tribute to the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jerry Buss, following his death on Monday (18Feb13).

The 80-year-old real estate mogul lost his battle with cancer and the Twitter.com tributes have poured in for man who helped shepherd the Nba giants to 10 championships.

Publishing mogul Hefner writes, "Learned of Laker's owner Jerry Buss death to cancer. We've lost a longtime friend", while another pal, rocker Neil, adds, "Rip to my buddy Dr. Jerry Buss. We will miss you. A good friend, a great man. A sad day."

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea tweets, "wow. thank you dr. jerry buss for all you have done to uplift los angeles, and give me untold joy. rest in peace" and actor Lowe posts, "Dr Buss was a visionary, a leader and good friend. Neither the Nba or LA will ever be the same."

Meanwhile, rapper Lil Wayne, actor David Boreanaz and American Idol judge and record producer Randy Jackson have also remembered Buss, and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine tweets, "Thank you Dr. Buss for putting together some of the most soulful and exciting basketball the world will ever see. We're gonna miss you".

Reality Tv star Khloe Kardashian Odom, whose husband Lamar Odom played for the Lakers for seven years, also reached out to Buss' grieving relatives to express her sympathies: "My heart, love and prayers go out to the Buss family. Thank you for the memories!!! Smile and fly your wings".