Introduction
Kobe Bryant is a name that stirs up emotions for every basketball lover. He was among the greatest basketball players and is still an inspiration for every young basketball enthusiast out there.
During his 20-year-old career, he achieved almost every height a professional basketball player could hope for. His fellow players and close ones raved about his work ethic and commitment to this sport. He gave it his all, worked the hardest, and went over to accomplish heights right from a young age.
He’s indeed among the top sports icons of the world, and his legacy is precious to the entire basketball community. The world lost this basketball gem during a tragic helicopter crash on Jan 26, 2020. He was among the nine people, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who lost their lives in the crash.
The world still remembers the heights and achievements of this basketball star. Let's look over some of his career's greatest highlights.
- Kobe Bryant was born on 23 Aug 1978, in Philadelphia.
- He was a professional American basketball player and played as a shooting guard.
- For his entire 20-year-old career, he played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.
- Bryant won five National Basketball Association championships with his team.
- He was an 18-time All-Star, a 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, the 2008 NBA MVP, a 12-time member of the NBA's All-Defensive Team, and a two-time NBA Finals MVP.
- He ranks fourth in the all-time regular and postseason scoring.
- In 2020, he was voted for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
- He has won 2 Olympic Gold Medals with the USA team in 2008 and 2012.
After college, Kobe Bryant’s list of awards and achievements began right from his NBA career. He was recruited right out of college, which was the beginning of his 20 years old career. Here are the top moments from his basketball career:
Outstanding Rookie Season
Byrant made a name for himself in the game pretty early in his career. He went to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in the 1997 season as a rookie. Furthermore, he got voted to the NBA all-rookie second team.
First NBA Championship title
In the 2000 season, Bryant won his first NBA championship title. He was even named to the All-Defensive first team and made his second appearance at the NBA All-star game.
2002 Season
The Lakers consistently won the championship for three seasons with Byrant on their team. During the 2002 season, Byrant was at his best and won the NBA All-star game MVP title.
NBA Scoring champion
Bryant was the NBA Scoring champion during the 2005-06 season. He won the title again in 2007. In the 2005 season, he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in a 122-104 victory for the Lakers. His historic 81 point game again solidified his spot as among the best players of his time. He again won the NBA All-star MVP during the 2007 season.
Olympics honours in 2008
2008 was among the best years in Kobe's career. He was named the MVP for the 2007-08 season over several other prominent players. In addition to that, he became an Olympic Gold Medalist during the Beijing summer Olympics in 2008.
NBA Championships for the Lakers
The Lakers again won the NBA Finals for the fourth and fifth times in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Byrant was named the Finals MVP during the 2010 season. He also went on to score 61 points against the New York Knicks during the 2009 NBA Championship.
Second Olympics medal
Bryant went to earn a second Olympics gold medal during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He quickly became an international sports icon with remarkable performance in NBA and the global Olympic championship.
Final NBA game
Kobe’s final NBA game was against the Utah Jazz on Apr 13, 2016. He then scored 60 points and led the Lakers to a 101-96 win.
Kobe’s long and remarkable career cannot be wrapped up in a paragraph or a few points. He was and still is an icon to the global sports community. Every young basketball player still looks up to his exceptional ruthlessness and performance whenever he sets his feet in the game.
FAQs
Q1: How did Kobe Bryant die?
Ans: Kobe Bryant died due to a helicopter crash on Jan 26, 2020, because of an uncontrolled flight into the terrain.
Q2: Who were the other victims of the crash?
Ans: Nine people, including Kobe's daughter Gianna, baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, and daughter Alyssa were among the victims.
Q3: When did he debut?
Ans: Bryant debuted on Nov 3, 1996, with the Lakers in NBA.
Q4: In which years did he become an NBA Champion?
Ans: 2000-2002, 2009 and 2010
Q5: Did he win any other awards other than for basketball?
Ans: Bryant won an Academy Award for his animated short film in 2018.
Q6: When did Kobe Bryant retire?
Ans: He retired on Apr 13, 2016, playing his last game in the Lakers, Jersey, after 20 years with the same team.
