Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kobe Bryant
Discover the career path of Kobe Bryant, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Kobe Bryant, a celebrated American professional basketball player, played his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers as a shooting guard. Considered one of basketball's all-time greats, he secured five NBA championships, was an 18-time All-Star, and earned numerous MVP awards. Bryant's accolades include being a 15-time All-NBA Team member, a 12-time All-Defensive Team member, the 2008 NBA MVP, and a two-time NBA Finals MVP. He holds the fourth position in all-time regular season and postseason scoring. Posthumously named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, Bryant was twice inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
1983: Four Lakers selected for All-Star Game
In 1983, Kobe Bryant was joined by teammates O'Neal, Van Exel, and Jones, making it the first time since 1983 that four players on the same team were selected to play in the same All-Star Game.
1988: Lakers Last Championship before 2000
In 2000, The Lakers won their first championship since 1988.
1995: NBA Draft Consideration
In 1995, after high schooler Kevin Garnett entered the first round of the NBA draft, Kobe Bryant started considering going directly to the pros.
July 9, 1996: Trade Finalized with the Lakers
On July 9, 1996, Kobe Bryant's trade to the Lakers became final after Vlade Divac relented, and the league's off-season moratorium ended.
1996: Workout in Los Angeles
Before the 1996 NBA draft, Kobe Bryant worked out in Los Angeles and scrimmaged against former Lakers players.
1996: Signed with Adidas
Before the 1996–97 season, Kobe Bryant signed a six-year contract with Adidas worth approximately $48 million. His first signature shoe was the Equipment KB 8.
1996: NBA Rookie Season
During the 1996-97 NBA season, Kobe Bryant made his debut as a rookie, primarily coming off the bench and gradually increasing his playing time.
1996: Drafted to the NBA
In 1996, Kobe Bryant declared for the NBA draft after high school and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick, then traded to the Lakers.
1997: Appearance on Hang Time
In 1997, Kobe Bryant appeared on an episode of the television show Hang Time, marking one of his early acting roles.
1997: Performance at Sway & King Tech Concert
In 1997, Kobe Bryant performed at a concert by Sway & King Tech, showcasing his rapping skills and further exploring his musical interests.
1997: Bryant Wins NBA Slam Dunk Contest
In 1997, Kobe Bryant won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, becoming its youngest winner.
1997: Slam Dunk Champion and All-Rookie Selection
In 1997, Kobe Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, marking a successful start to his NBA career.
1997: Slam Dunk Contest Win
In 1997, as a rookie, Kobe Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest.
1998: Guest Appearance on All That
In 1998, Kobe Bryant made a guest appearance on the Nickelodeon sketch comedy series All That, adding to his acting experience.
1998: Featured on Brian McKnight's Single
In 1998, Kobe Bryant's credited appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 was as a featured rapper on Brian McKnight and Tone's single "Hold Me."
1998: Premier Guard
The 1998-99 season marked Kobe Bryant's emergence as a premier guard in the league. During the season, he signed a six-year contract extension worth $70 million.
January 1999: Peak of "Hold Me" on Billboard Hot 100
In January 1999, Kobe Bryant's credited appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 as a featured rapper on Brian McKnight and Tone's single "Hold Me," peaked at number 35.
1999: Featured on Destiny's Child Remix
In 1999, Kobe Bryant was featured on a remix of "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child on the Maxi single version of the song.
1999: Bryant sidelined with hand injury
In 1999, Kobe Bryant was sidelined for six weeks due to a hand injury he incurred during a preseason game against the Washington Wizards.
1999: Phil Jackson Took Over as Lakers Coach
In 1999, Phil Jackson became the coach of the Lakers, improving Bryant's fortunes and solidifying his position as one of the premier shooting guards in the NBA.
1999: NBA All-Star Game
Kobe Bryant was voted to start in the NBA All-Star Game for the third year in a row. There was no game in 1999.
January 2000: Debut of 'K.O.B.E.' Single
In January 2000, Kobe Bryant's single "K.O.B.E'" featuring Tyra Banks, debuted and was performed at NBA All-Star Weekend.
2000: Bryant's performance and disagreements with O'Neal
During the 2000-01 season, Kobe Bryant's performance was similar to the previous year, but his points per game increased, averaging 28.5. Disagreements between Bryant and O'Neal began to surface during this season. Bryant led the team in assists, averaging five per game.
2000: NBA Championship
In 2000, Bryant won his first NBA Championship with the Lakers.
2000: Declined to play in 2000 Olympics
In 2000, Kobe Bryant declined to participate in the Olympics because he was getting married during the off-season.
2000: Lakers Championship and Bryant's Clutch Performances
In 2000, Kobe Bryant experienced a statistical increase, leading the Lakers in assists and steals. The Lakers won 67 games and Kobe was named to the All-NBA Second Team and All-NBA Defensive Team. In the 2000 Finals against the Indiana Pacers, despite an ankle injury, Bryant led the team to an overtime victory in Game 4. The Lakers won their first championship since 1988 in Game 6.
2000: Last gold medal
Team USA won its first gold medal in a worldwide competition since the 2000 Olympics.
2001: NBA Championship
In 2001, Bryant won another NBA Championship with the Lakers.
2001: Bryant's performance and achievements
In the 2001-02 season, Kobe Bryant played 80 games, averaging 25.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. He won his first All-Star MVP trophy and was named to the All-NBA First Team. He also made the All-NBA Defensive Team again.
January 14, 2002: Bryant Scores Career-High 56 Points
On January 14, 2002, Kobe Bryant scored a career-high 56 points, along with five rebounds and four assists, leading the Lakers to a 120-81 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies.
2002: NBA Championship
In 2002, Bryant won another NBA Championship with the Lakers.
2002: Third Consecutive NBA Championship
In 2002, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal secured their third consecutive NBA championship title with the Lakers.
2002: Declined to play in 2002 FIBA World Championship
In 2002, Kobe Bryant decided not to play in the FIBA World Championship.
2002: Bryant wins Third Championship
In the 2002 Finals against the New Jersey Nets, Kobe Bryant averaged 26.8 points, 51.4% shooting, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. At age 23, he became the youngest player to win three championships.
January 7, 2003: Bryant sets NBA record for three-pointers in a game
On January 7, 2003, Kobe Bryant set an NBA record for three-pointers in a game when he made 12 against the Seattle SuperSonics.
2003: Fewest shots a game since 2003-2004 season
During the 2003 season, Kobe Bryant finished the season averaging less than 20 shots a game, his fewest since the 2003–04 season.
2003: Bryant Leads All-Star Game Voting
In 2003, Kobe Bryant received the most votes among all players for the NBA All-Star Game.
2003: Withdrew from FIBA Americas Championship
In 2003, Kobe Bryant withdrew from the FIBA Americas Championship team after undergoing arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgeries.
2003: Contract Extension
In the 1998-99 season, Bryant signed a six-year contract extension worth $70 million, keeping Bryant with the Lakers until the end of the 2003-04 season.
2004: Lakers Upset in the Finals, Changes to Team and Coaching
In 2004, despite reaching the NBA Finals, the Lakers were upset by the Detroit Pistons. Following this, coach Jackson's contract was not renewed, Rudy Tomjanovich took over, and O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat. Bryant re-signed with the Lakers.
December 20, 2005: Bryant Scores 62 Points in Three Quarters
On December 20, 2005, Kobe Bryant scored 62 points in three quarters against the Dallas Mavericks, outscoring the entire Mavericks team 62-61.
2005: Bryant Leads NBA in Scoring
During the 2005–06 NBA season, Kobe Bryant led the NBA in scoring.
2005: NBA Scoring Leader
In the 2005-06 season, Kobe Bryant led the NBA in scoring.
January 22, 2006: Bryant Scores Career-High 81 Points
On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant scored a career-high 81 points in a 122-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors, the second-highest point total in NBA history.
January 22, 2006: Career-High 81 Points
On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant scored a career-high 81 points in a single NBA game, the second-most in NBA history.
2006: Bryant Scores 81 Points Against Toronto
In 2006, Kobe Bryant achieved the second-highest single-game point total in NBA history by scoring 81 points against Toronto.
2006: Bryant Changes Jersey Number and Playoff Performance
In 2006, Kobe Bryant changed his jersey number from 8 to 24. In the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers reached a 3-1 series lead over the Phoenix Suns, but ultimately lost the series.
2006: Named to U.S. preliminary roster but sidelined
In 2006, Kobe Bryant was named to the 2006-2008 U.S. preliminary roster along with LeBron James. However, he was sidelined after knee surgery and did not participate in the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
May 27, 2007: Bryant requests to be traded, then reconsiders
On May 27, 2007, Kobe Bryant initially stated he wanted to be traded if Jerry West did not return to the Lakers with full authority. He later confirmed his desire for West's return but denied demanding a trade. However, after expressing anger over an insider claiming he caused Shaquille O'Neal's departure, Bryant publicly stated, "I want to be traded," before reconsidering after a conversation with coach Jackson.
December 23, 2007: Bryant reaches 20,000 career points
On December 23, 2007, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player at 29 years and 122 days old to reach 20,000 career points in a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, scoring 39 points along with 11 rebounds and eight assists.
2007: Endorsement deals valued at $16 million
CNN estimated Kobe Bryant's endorsement deals in 2007 to be worth $16 million a year.
2007: Began national team career
In 2007, Kobe Bryant's United States national team career began. He was a member of the 2007 USA Men's Senior National Team and USA FIBA Americas Championship Team that finished 10–0, won gold, and qualified for the 2008 Olympics.
2007: Lakers finish first in the Western Conference
In 2007, the Lakers finished the regular season with a 57–25 record, finishing first in the Western Conference and setting up themselves for a first-round contest against the Denver Nuggets.
2007: Lakers eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Suns
In the 2007 NBA playoffs, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Suns, losing the series 4-1.
May 6, 2008: Bryant announced as league MVP
On May 6, 2008, Kobe Bryant was officially announced as the league MVP, leading his team to a West-leading 57-25 record, aided by the trade for Pau Gasol.
May 8, 2008: Bryant named to All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams
On May 8, 2008, Kobe Bryant was the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA team for the third straight season and sixth time in his career. He also headlined the NBA All-Defensive First Team with Kevin Garnett.
June 23, 2008: Named to USA Men's Senior National Team
On June 23, 2008, Kobe Bryant was named to the USA Men's Senior National Team for the 2008 Summer Olympics, marking his first Olympic appearance.
August 24, 2008: Won gold medal at 2008 Summer Olympics
On August 24, 2008, Team USA, including Kobe Bryant who scored 20 points, defeated Spain 118–107 in the gold medal game at the 2008 Summer Olympics, securing its first gold medal since the 2000 Olympics.
2008: Appeared in Guitar Hero commercial
In 2008, Kobe Bryant appeared in commercials for the video game Guitar Hero World Tour with Tony Hawk, Michael Phelps, and Alex Rodriguez.
2008: Donation to National Museum of African American History and Culture
In 2008, Kobe Bryant donated his uniform from the 2008 NBA Finals, the year he was named league MVP, to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
2008: Competed in FIBA Americas Championship games
In 2008, Kobe Bryant had an average of 15.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game in the FIBA Americas Championship tournament.
2008: Named NBA MVP and Olympic Gold Medal
In 2008, Kobe Bryant was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP). Also in 2008, Bryant won an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team.
2008: Bryant Wins League MVP and Gold Medal
In 2008, Kobe Bryant was voted the league MVP and led his team to the NBA Finals. He also won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. men's basketball team at the Summer Olympics.
2008: Rematch against Boston Celtics
In 2008, in a rematch against the Boston Celtics, Bryant led the Lakers back from a 13-point third-quarter deficit in Game 7 to win the championship. He scored 10 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 15 rebounds, tying an NBA Finals record.
2008: Jump over speeding Aston Martin
In a 2008 video promoting Nike's Hyperdunk shoes, Kobe Bryant appeared to jump over a speeding Aston Martin, a stunt that was considered fake.
2008: Sidelined after knee surgery
In the summer of 2008, Kobe Bryant had to withdraw from the Olympic team because of his sexual assault case.
January 21, 2009: Bryant records his first triple-double
Kobe Bryant recorded his first triple-double since January 21, 2009, while playing against the Denver Nuggets.
February 2, 2009: Bryant scores 61 points at Madison Square Garden
On February 2, 2009, Kobe Bryant scored 61 points in a game against the Knicks, setting a record for the most points scored at Madison Square Garden.
February 9, 2009: Featured on ESPN The Magazine cover
On February 9, 2009, Kobe Bryant was featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine about his being a fan of FC Barcelona.
December 4, 2009: Bryant makes game-winning shot against Miami Heat
On December 4, 2009, Kobe Bryant made a buzzer-beating, one-legged three-pointer over Dwyane Wade, leading to the Lakers' narrow 108–107 victory over the Miami Heat.
2009: NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2009, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to another NBA championship and was named NBA Finals MVP.
April 2, 2010: Bryant signs three-year contract extension
On April 2, 2010, Kobe Bryant signed a three-year contract extension worth $87 million with the Lakers.
November 4, 2010: Donation to Call of Duty Endowment
On November 4, 2010, Kobe Bryant and Zach Braff presented a $1 million check to the Call of Duty Endowment at the Call of Duty: Black Ops launch event.
December 13, 2010: Signed with Turkish Airlines
On December 13, 2010, Kobe Bryant signed a two-year endorsement deal with Turkish Airlines and appeared in a promotional film.
2010: Bryant Leads Lakers to Another Championship and Earns Finals MVP
In 2010, Kobe Bryant again led the Lakers to another championship and earned his second consecutive Finals MVP award.
2010: Repeat NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2010, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers won another NBA championship, with Bryant again being named NBA Finals MVP.
2010: Appeared in Call of Duty commercial
In 2010, Kobe Bryant appeared in commercials for the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops alongside Jimmy Kimmel.
2010: Bryant reaches 25,000 points in his career
In 2010, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player (31 years, 151 days) to reach 25,000 points in his career, surpassing Chamberlain.
2010: Ranked third highest-paid athlete
In 2010, Kobe Bryant was ranked third, behind Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, in Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes, with $48 million.
2010: Launched Nike Zoom Kobe V shoe
In 2010, Nike launched another shoe, Nike Zoom Kobe V.
2010: Lakers started the season by winning their first eight games
The Lakers started the 2010-11 season by winning their first eight games.
January 30, 2011: Bryant becomes youngest player to score 27,000 points
On January 30, 2011, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player to score 27,000 points in a game against the Celtics.
2011: Bryant Leads All-Star Game Voting Again
In 2011, Kobe Bryant was again the leading vote-getter for the NBA All-Star Game.
January 10, 2012: Bryant scores 48 points against the Suns
On January 10, 2012, Kobe Bryant scored 48 points against the Phoenix Suns, after which he sarcastically referenced his preseason ESPN ranking as the seventh-best player in the league. Following this game, he continued his scoring streak with 40, 42, and 42 points in the subsequent three games.
September 2012: Shot commercial with Lionel Messi
In September 2012, Kobe Bryant shot a commercial for Turkish Airlines with FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi, where they competed for a young boy's attention.
November 2, 2012: Bryant passes Magic Johnson as Lakers career leader in steals
On November 2, 2012, Kobe Bryant scored 40 points and recorded two steals, surpassing Magic Johnson to become the Lakers' all-time leader in steals. However, despite this achievement, the Lakers lost the game to the Clippers, marking their first 0-3 start to the season in 34 years.
2012: Achilles Tendon Tear
During the 2012-13 season, Kobe Bryant suffered a torn achilles tendon, impacting the later years of his career.
2012: Retired from national team after another gold medal
In 2012, Kobe Bryant rejoined the national team for the Summer Olympics, and after winning another gold medal, he decided to retire from the team.
2012: Bryant Wins Second Olympic Gold Medal
In 2012, Kobe Bryant won another gold medal at the Summer Olympics as part of the U.S. men's basketball team.
2012: Selected as player GMs want for clutch shots
In a 2012 annual survey of NBA general managers, Kobe Bryant was selected for the 10th consecutive season as the player general managers would want to take a clutch shot with a game on the line.
March 30, 2013: Bryant becomes fourth-leading scorer in league history
On March 30, 2013, Kobe Bryant surpassed Wilt Chamberlain to become the fourth-leading scorer in NBA league history, during a victory over the Sacramento Kings.
April 10, 2013: Bryant achieves unique stat line in a game
On April 10, 2013, Kobe Bryant became the first player in NBA history to record 47 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and three steals in a single game.
2013: Ranked fifth-highest paid sports star
In 2013, Forbes listed Kobe Bryant as the fifth-highest paid sports star in the world.
2013: Launch of Granity Studios
In 2013, Kobe Bryant launched Granity Studios, a production company focused on developing various media, including films, television shows, and novels.
2013: Bryant Tops All-Star Voting
In 2013, Kobe Bryant received the highest number of votes for the NBA All-Star Game.
March 12, 2014: Bryant ruled out for remainder of season
On March 12, 2014, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that Kobe Bryant would miss the remainder of the 2013-14 season, citing his need for continued rehabilitation and the limited time left in the season. At the time, the Lakers had a 22-42 record and were tied for the worst record in the Western Conference.
March 2014: Initial Investment in Bodyarmor SuperDrink
In March 2014, Kobe Bryant, through Kobe Inc., made an initial investment of $6 million for a 10% stake in the Bodyarmor SuperDrink company.
November 30, 2014: Bryant records his 20th career triple-double
On November 30, 2014, Kobe Bryant recorded his 20th career triple-double with 31 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds in a 129-122 overtime victory over the Toronto Raptors. At age 36, he became the oldest NBA player to reach 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game.
January 21, 2015: Bryant tears rotator cuff, undergoes season-ending surgery
On January 21, 2015, Kobe Bryant suffered a rotator cuff tear in his right shoulder during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite the injury, he continued to play, using his left hand for most actions, before ultimately undergoing season-ending surgery.
November 29, 2015: Bryant announces retirement via 'Dear Basketball'
On November 29, 2015, Kobe Bryant announced his retirement at the end of the 2015-16 season via The Players' Tribune, in a poem titled "Dear Basketball." He expressed his lifelong love for the game and acknowledged that his body could no longer endure the physical demands. A letter was also distributed to Lakers fans, expressing his gratitude.
2015: Retirement Announcement
In 2015, Kobe Bryant announced his retirement from the NBA after the 2015-16 season.
August 22, 2016: Launch of Bryant-Stibel Venture Capital Firm
On August 22, 2016, Kobe Bryant and Jeff Stibel launched Bryant-Stibel, a venture capital firm with $100 million in funding, focused on media, data, gaming, and technology businesses.
2016: Bryant Leads All-Star Voting for the Last Time
In 2016, Kobe Bryant led the NBA All-Star Game voting, marking the fourth and final time he achieved this honor.
December 18, 2017: Lakers Retire Bryant's Numbers
On December 18, 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers retired both numbers, 8 and 24, that Kobe Bryant wore during his career.
2017: Release of Dear Basketball
In 2017, Kobe Bryant released 'Dear Basketball'.
2017: Lakers Retire Both Numbers
In 2017, the Lakers retired both of Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers, 8 and 24, making him the only player in NBA history to have multiple numbers retired by the same franchise.
August 2018: Increase in Value of Bodyarmor Stake
In August 2018, with The Coca-Cola Company purchasing a minority stake in Bodyarmor, Kobe Bryant's stake's value rose to approximately $200 million.
2018: Launch of Mamba Sports Academy
In 2018, Kobe Bryant and Sports Academy launched Mamba Sports Academy, a joint athletic-training business venture with locations in California.
2018: Debut of Detail on ESPN
In 2018, Kobe Bryant began writing, producing, and hosting the television series Detail, which aired on ESPN and ESPN+.
2019: Appearance on MTV's Ridiculousness
In 2019, Kobe Bryant appeared on MTV's Ridiculousness, marking another television appearance.
2019: Global ambassador of 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2019, Kobe Bryant was one of the global ambassadors of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.
2020: Lakers Wear 'Black Mamba' Jerseys During Playoffs
During the 2020 NBA playoffs, the Lakers' players honored Kobe Bryant by wearing 'Black Mamba' jerseys, which Bryant himself designed. The black jersey features a snakeskin pattern with yellow accents and 16 stars. In a Game 2 victory over the Denver Nuggets, Anthony Davis made a buzzer-beating three-pointer and yelled Bryant's name while wearing the jerseys. LeBron James commented on how special it was to honor Bryant.
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