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 shooting guard, played his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Considered one of basketball's greatest and most influential players, he secured five NBA championships, earned 18 All-Star selections, and was named the 2008 NBA MVP. Bryant also boasts two NBA Finals MVP awards and two scoring titles, ranking fourth in all-time NBA scoring. Posthumously named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice: once as a player in 2020 and again as a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team in 2025.
December 1962: Baylor scored 50+ in three consecutive contests
In March 2007, Bryant scored a season-high 65 points against the Portland Trail Blazers. He became the second Laker to score three straight 50-plus point games, a feat not seen since Jordan did it in 1987. The only other Laker to do so was Baylor, who scored 50+ in three consecutive contests in December 1962.
1964: Bryant became the first player since 1964 to score 45 points or more in four consecutive games
In January 2006, Bryant became the first player since 1964 to score 45 points or more in four consecutive games.
1983: Four Lakers players selected to play in the same All-Star Game.
In 1983, it was the first time since 1983 that four players on the same team were selected to play in the same All-Star Game. Bryant was joined by teammates O'Neal, Van Exel, and Jones.
1987: Jordan scored 50+ in three straight games
In March 2007, Kobe Bryant became the second Laker to score three straight 50-plus point games, a feat not seen since Jordan did it in 1987.
1988: Lakers First Championship Since 1988
In the 2000 Finals, the Lakers won their first championship since 1988.
1990: Detroit Pistons won their first championship since 1990
In 2004, the Detroit Pistons won their first championship since 1990 by upsetting the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
1995: Contemplating NBA after Kevin Garnett's draft
After high schooler Kevin Garnett went in the first round of the 1995 NBA draft, Kobe Bryant also began contemplating going directly to the pros.
1996: Scrimmaged against former Lakers players
Before the 1996 NBA draft, Kobe Bryant had worked out in Los Angeles, where he scrimmaged against former Lakers players Larry Drew and Michael Cooper.
1996: Bryant signs with Adidas
Before the 1996–97 season, Kobe Bryant signed a six-year contract with Adidas worth approximately $48 million, resulting in his first signature shoe, the Equipment KB 8.
1996: Summer Pro League Debut
In 1996, Kobe Bryant debuted in the Summer Pro League in Long Beach, California, scoring 25 points. He finished with averages of 24.5 points and 5.3 rebounds.
1996: Decides to go directly into the NBA
In 1996, Kobe Bryant decided to go directly into the NBA, becoming only the sixth player in NBA history to do so.
1996: NBA Draft and Trade to the Lakers
In 1996, Kobe Bryant declared for the NBA draft and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick; he was then traded to the Lakers.
1997: All-Star Weekend Participation and Slam Dunk Win
During the 1997 All-Star weekend, Kobe Bryant participated in the Rookie Challenge and won the Slam Dunk Contest, becoming the youngest dunk champion at age 18. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
1997: Slam Dunk Contest win
In 1997, as a rookie, Kobe Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest.
1998: Emergence as Premier Guard
The 1998–99 season marked Kobe Bryant's emergence as a premier guard in the league. He signed a six-year $70 million contract extension.
1999: Kobe was voted to start in the NBA All-Star Game
In 1999, Kobe Bryant was voted to start in the NBA All-Star Game for the third year in a row, solidifying his status as a prominent player in the league.
1999: Phil Jackson appointed Lakers coach
In 1999, Phil Jackson was appointed Lakers coach, improving Kobe Bryant's fortunes and solidifying his place as one of the premier shooting guards in the league.
January 2000: K.O.B.E. single debuts
In January 2000, Kobe Bryant's first single, "K.O.B.E.", featuring Tyra Banks, debuted and was performed at NBA All-Star Weekend, but it was not well received.
2000: NBA Championship with the Lakers
In 2000, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal led the Lakers to the first of three consecutive NBA championships.
2000: NBA Championship
In 2000, Kobe Bryant won his first NBA championship as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 116-111 in game 6.
2000: First Championship with Phil Jackson
In 2000, Kobe Bryant won the first of three consecutive championships under Phil Jackson.
2000: Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Finals
In 2000, the Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals after a strong playoff performance. Kobe Bryant's contributions were significant, though the team won 11 fewer games than the previous year. The Lakers went on to win their first championship.
2001: Second Championship with Phil Jackson
In 2001, Kobe Bryant won the second of three consecutive championships under Phil Jackson.
2001: Bryant played 80 games for the first time
In the 2001-02 season, Bryant played 80 games for the first time in his career and claimed his first All-Star MVP trophy after a 31-point performance in Philadelphia.
January 14, 2002: Bryant Scored a Career-High 56 Points Against the Memphis Grizzlies
On January 14, 2002, Kobe Bryant achieved a then career-high of 56 points, along with five rebounds, in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This performance highlighted his scoring ability and contribution to the Lakers' victory.
2002: Bryant recorded 27 points in an 87–82 loss to the Spurs
During the first game of the 2002–03 season, Kobe Bryant recorded 27 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals in an 87–82 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
2002: Third Consecutive NBA Championship
In 2002, Kobe Bryant won his third consecutive NBA championship with the Lakers alongside teammate Shaquille O'Neal.
2002: Third Championship with Phil Jackson
In 2002, Kobe Bryant won the third of three consecutive championships under Phil Jackson.
2002: Lakers won the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets
In the 2002 NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets, Kobe Bryant averaged 26.8 points. Aged 23, he became the youngest player to win three championships, solidifying his reputation as a "clutch player."
January 7, 2003: Bryant set NBA record for three-pointers in a game
On January 7, 2003, Kobe Bryant set an NBA record for three-pointers in a game, making 12 against the Seattle SuperSonics. This performance highlighted his shooting prowess and record-breaking ability.
2003: Kobe Bryant's Contract Extension
In 2003, Kobe Bryant signed a six-year $70 million contract extension, keeping him a Laker till the end of 2003–04 season.
2004: Lakers Lose NBA Finals, O'Neal Traded
After the Lakers lost the 2004 NBA Finals, Shaquille O'Neal was traded, and Kobe Bryant became the franchise's cornerstone.
2004: Lakers reached the NBA Finals but lost to the Detroit Pistons
In 2004, the Lakers, with a star-studded lineup, reached the NBA Finals but were defeated by the Detroit Pistons in five games. After this loss, significant changes occurred, including coaching and player roster adjustments.
December 20, 2005: Bryant Scored 62 Points in Three Quarters Against the Mavericks
On December 20, 2005, Kobe Bryant scored 62 points in just three quarters against the Dallas Mavericks, outscoring the entire Mavericks team (62-61) through three quarters. This was a unique achievement since the introduction of the shot clock.
2005: End of 2005 Season
By the end of the 2005-06 season, Bryant set Lakers single-season franchise records for most 40-point games (27) and most points scored (2,832).
2005: NBA Scoring Leader
In the 2005-06 season, Kobe Bryant led the NBA in scoring.
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.
January 22, 2006: Bryant Scored a Career-High 81 Points Against the Raptors
On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant scored a career-high 81 points in a victory against the Toronto Raptors, marking the second-highest point total in NBA history. This performance broke the Lakers' franchise record and solidified his place in NBA history.
2006: Bryant selected to his ninth All-Star Game appearance
During the 2006-07 season, Bryant was selected to his ninth All-Star Game appearance. Throughout the season, Bryant was involved in several on-court incidents, including suspensions for striking other players, leading to some controversies.
December 23, 2007: Bryant Reached 20,000 Career Points
On December 23, 2007, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player (at 29 years, 122 days) to reach 20,000 career points in a game against the New York Knicks. He scored 39 points along with 11 rebounds and eight assists, marking a significant milestone in his career.
2007: Bryant's endorsement deals estimated at $16 million
In 2007, CNN estimated Kobe Bryant's endorsement deals to be worth $16 million a year.
2007: Bryant scored 65 points against Portland
In March 2007, Bryant scored a season-high 65 points against the Portland Trail Blazers, helping to end the Lakers' seven-game losing streak. He followed this with multiple 50-point games, becoming the second Laker to achieve this feat after Elgin Baylor.
February 5, 2008: Bryant plays through finger injury
On February 5, 2008, Kobe Bryant suffered a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament, an avulsion fracture, and a volar plate injury in his shooting hand's small finger during a game. Despite the severity of the injury, he chose to play all 82 games of the regular season, foregoing immediate surgery and monitoring the injury daily with the Lakers' medical staff.
May 6, 2008: Bryant announced as league MVP
On May 6, 2008, Kobe Bryant was announced as the league MVP after leading his team to a West-leading 57–25 record, aided by the trade for Pau Gasol. David Stern presented Bryant with the MVP trophy.
June 23, 2008: Named to the Olympic 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 time participating in the Olympics.
September 2008: Bryant forgoes pinkie surgery
In early September 2008, Kobe Bryant decided to not have surgery to repair his right pinkie.
2008: Bryant Donated Uniform to National Museum of African American History and Culture
In 2008, Kobe Bryant donated his uniform from the 2008 NBA Finals, where he was named league MVP, to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where he and his wife were founding donors.
2008: Bryant promotes Nike Hyperdunk shoes
In 2008, Kobe Bryant promoted Nike's Hyperdunk shoes and later released the fourth edition of his signature line with Nike, the Zoom Kobe IV.
2008: Rematch against 2008 Champion Boston Celtics
In a rematch against the 2008 Champion 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 shared by Sam Jones and Tom Gola for rebounds by a shooting guard.
2008: Bryant was the league's leading scorer throughout the 2000s decade
Throughout the 2000s decade from 1999-00 to 2008–09 seasons, Bryant was the league's leading scorer, accumulating 21,065 points in regular season play.
February 2, 2009: Bryant sets scoring record at Madison Square Garden
On February 2, 2009, Kobe Bryant set a record for the most points scored at Madison Square Garden, scoring 61 points in a game against the Knicks.
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 the Lakers to a 108–107 victory over the Miami Heat.
2009: NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2009, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to an NBA championship and was named NBA Finals MVP.
April 2, 2010: Bryant signs contract extension
On April 2, 2010, Kobe Bryant signed a three-year contract extension worth $87 million with the Lakers.
November 4, 2010: Bryant at Call of Duty: Black Ops Launch Event
On November 4, 2010, Kobe Bryant appeared with Zach Braff at the Call of Duty: Black Ops launch event and presented a $1 million check to the Call of Duty Endowment, an Activision-founded nonprofit supporting veterans' transition to civilian careers.
December 13, 2010: Bryant signs endorsement deal with Turkish Airlines
On December 13, 2010, Kobe Bryant signed a two-year endorsement deal with Turkish Airlines, appearing in a promotional film aired in over 80 countries.
2010: Bryant becomes youngest player to reach 25,000 points
During the 2009–10 season, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player (31 years, 151 days) to reach 25,000 points in his career, surpassing Chamberlain.
2010: NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2010, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to another NBA championship and was again named NBA Finals MVP.
2010: Nike launches Nike Zoom Kobe V shoes
In 2010, Nike launched another shoe, the Nike Zoom Kobe V, as part of Kobe Bryant's signature line.
2010: Lakers started the 2010-11 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.
2011: Bryant featured in Jay Chou's single
In 2011, Kobe Bryant was featured in Taiwanese singer Jay Chou's single "The Heaven and Earth Challenge" (天地一鬥). Proceeds from downloads of the song were donated to impoverished schools for basketball facilities and equipment.
January 10, 2012: Bryant scores 48 points against the Suns
On January 10, 2012, Kobe Bryant scored 48 points against the Suns, remarking, "Not bad for the seventh-best player in the league," referring to a preseason ESPN ranking.
September 2012: Bryant shoots commercial for Turkish Airlines with Lionel Messi
In September 2012, Kobe Bryant filmed a commercial for Turkish Airlines alongside FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi, where they competed for a young boy's attention.
November 2, 2012: Bryant passes Magic Johnson in steals
On November 2, 2012, Kobe Bryant scored 40 points and passed Magic Johnson as the Lakers' career leader in steals with 1,724 steals.
March 30, 2013: Bryant surpasses Chamberlain in scoring
On March 30, 2013, Kobe Bryant surpassed Wilt Chamberlain to become the fourth-leading scorer in league history in a victory over Sacramento.
April 10, 2013: First Player with 47 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and three steals in a game
On April 10, 2013, Kobe Bryant became the first player in NBA history to achieve 47 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and three steals in a single game.
November 2013: Signed contract extension with Lakers
In November 2013, Kobe Bryant resumed practicing and on November 25th signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers worth an estimated $48.5 million.
2013: Bryant listed as fifth-highest paid sports star
In 2013, Forbes listed Kobe Bryant as the fifth-highest paid sports star in the world, behind Floyd Mayweather, Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Lionel Messi.
2013: Bryant Launched Granity Studios
In 2013, Kobe Bryant launched Granity Studios, a production company focused on developing various media projects including films, television shows, and novels.
2013: Played in All-Star game
Kobe Bryant played in his first All-Star game since 2013, contributing 10 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.
March 2014: Bryant Invested in Bodyarmor SuperDrink
In March 2014, Kobe Bryant established Kobe Inc. and made an initial investment of $6 million for a 10% stake in the Bodyarmor SuperDrink company.
November 30, 2014: Recorded 20th Career Triple-Double
On November 30, 2014, Kobe Bryant recorded his 20th career triple-double in an overtime victory against the Toronto Raptors with 31 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds.
November 29, 2015: Announced Retirement
On November 29, 2015, Kobe Bryant announced his retirement at the end of the season via The Players' Tribune in his poem titled "Dear Basketball".
2015: Retirement Announcement
In 2015, Kobe Bryant played his last season with the NBA.
August 22, 2016: Bryant and Stibel Launched Venture Capital Firm
On August 22, 2016, Kobe Bryant and Jeff Stibel launched Bryant-Stibel, a venture capital firm with $100 million in funding, focusing on media, data, gaming, and technology businesses.
2016: Scored season-high 38 points
In 2016, on February 3, Kobe Bryant scored a then season-high 38 points, including 14 of the team's 18 points in the last 5:02 of the game, leading to a victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves and ending a 10-game losing streak.
December 18, 2017: Lakers Retired Both of Bryant's Numbers
On December 18, 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers retired both numbers that Kobe Bryant wore during his career, 8 and 24.
August 2018: Coca-Cola's Investment Increased Value of Bryant's Stake in Bodyarmor
In August 2018, The Coca-Cola Company purchased a minority stake in Bodyarmor SuperDrink, increasing the value of Kobe Bryant's stake to approximately $200 million.
October 23, 2018: Bryant's Book 'The Mamba Mentality: How I Play' Was Published
On October 23, 2018, Kobe Bryant's book, The Mamba Mentality: How I Play, was published. It included photographs by Andrew D. Bernstein, an introduction by Phil Jackson, and a foreword by Pau Gasol. The book reflects on Bryant's career.
2018: Bryant Wrote, Produced, and Hosted Detail on ESPN
In 2018, Kobe Bryant began writing, producing, and hosting the television series Detail, which aired on ESPN and ESPN+. The show featured Bryant's analysis of basketball games and players.
2018: Bryant and Sports Academy Launched Mamba Sports Academy
In 2018, Kobe Bryant partnered with Sports Academy to launch the Mamba Sports Academy, a joint athletic-training business venture with locations in Thousand Oaks and Redondo Beach, California.
2019: Bryant appeared on MTV's Ridiculousness
In 2019, Kobe Bryant made an appearance on MTV's show, Ridiculousness.
2019: Bryant as global ambassador of FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2019, Kobe Bryant served as one of the global ambassadors of the FIBA Basketball World Cup held in China.
March 2020: The Wizenard Series: Season One Was Released Posthumously
In March 2020, The Wizenard Series: Season One, a young adult novel co-written by Kobe Bryant through Granity Studios, was released posthumously and topped the New York Times middle-grade hardcover list.
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