10 Defining Moments in the Life of Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was an iconic professional basketball player who spent his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, earning five NBA championships and two Olympic gold medals.
1996-06-26
1996-06-26
Left High School for the NBA
Kobe Bryant declared for the 1996 NBA Draft directly after graduating from Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania.
Career
1996-07-11
1996-07-11
Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and Traded to the Lakers
Bryant was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets as the 13th pick but was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Career
2000-06-19
2000-06-19
First NBA Championship
Kobe Bryant won his first NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, marking the beginning of a three-peat under coach Phil Jackson.
Achievement
2006-01-22
2006-01-22
81-Point Game
Bryant scored 81 points in a single game against the Toronto Raptors, the second-highest point total in NBA history.
Achievement
2008-05-06
2008-05-06
NBA MVP Award
Kobe Bryant won the 2007–08 NBA Most Valuable Player award, solidifying his status as one of the league’s best players.
Achievement
2008-08-24
2008-08-24
Olympic Gold Medal
Bryant won his first Olympic gold medal as part of the U.S. Men's Basketball team at the Beijing Olympics.
Achievement
2010-06-17
2010-06-17
Fifth NBA Championship
Bryant won his fifth and final NBA championship with the Lakers, defeating the Boston Celtics in a seven-game series.
Achievement
2013-04-12
2013-04-12
Achilles Tendon Injury
Bryant suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a game against the Golden State Warriors, marking a major setback in his career.
Injury
2016-04-13
2016-04-13
60-Point Farewell Game
In the final game of his career, Bryant scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz, ending his NBA journey in spectacular fashion.
Career
2018-03-04
2018-03-04
Academy Award Win
Bryant won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for 'Dear Basketball,' making him the first professional athlete to win an Oscar.
Achievement
Photos
Photos
Kobe Bryant
"Kobe Bryant" by genewang0123 is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.