How Kobe Bryant Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Kobe Bryant across different fields.

Kobe Bryant, a legendary shooting guard, dedicated his 20-year NBA career to the Los Angeles Lakers. Widely considered one of basketball's all-time greats, he secured five NBA championships, earned 18 All-Star selections, and received the 2008 NBA MVP award. Bryant also claimed two NBA Finals MVP titles and two scoring championships, holding the fourth position in all-time regular season and postseason scoring. Posthumously honored on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, he was a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

2008: ESPN ranks Bryant as second-greatest shooting guard

In 2008, ESPN ranked Kobe Bryant the second-greatest shooting guard of all time after Michael Jordan.

2009: Lil Wayne releases "Kobe Bryant"

In 2009, American rapper Lil Wayne released a song called "Kobe Bryant".

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2009: Release of Kobe Doin' Work documentary

In 2009, Spike Lee's documentary film, Kobe Doin' Work, which chronicled Kobe Bryant during the 2007–08 NBA season, was released.

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2010: Sho Baraka releases "Kobe Bryant On'em"

In 2010, American rapper Sho Baraka released a song called "Kobe Bryant On'em", which was featured on his album Lions and Liars.

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2012: Chief Keef releases "Kobe"

In 2012, American rapper Chief Keef released "Kobe", a song paying tribute to Bryant and featured on his album, Finally Rich.

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2012: Honored as McDonald's All-American

In 2012, Kobe Bryant was honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans for his exceptional high school play and subsequent accomplishments.

2016: ESPN reaffirms Bryant's status as second-greatest shooting guard

In 2016, ESPN reaffirmed their ranking of Kobe Bryant as the second-greatest shooting guard of all time after Michael Jordan.

December 18, 2017: Lakers retire Kobe 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", which he later won an academy award for in 2018.

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2017: Lakers Retire Both Numbers

In 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers retired both of Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers, 8 and 24, a unique honor in NBA history.

October 23, 2018: Publication of The Mamba Mentality: How I Play

On October 23, 2018, Kobe Bryant's book The Mamba Mentality: How I Play was published, featuring photos and reflections on his career.

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play

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2018: Kobe Bryant appears at the Academy Awards

In 2018, Kobe Bryant appeared at the start of the In Memoriam segment of the 92nd Academy Awards following his Oscar win for Dear Basketball.

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2018: Academy Award win for Dear Basketball

In 2018, Kobe Bryant became the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for his film Dear Basketball.

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March 2020: Posthumous release of The Wizenard Series: Season One

In March 2020, The Wizenard Series: Season One, a young adult novel co-written/produced by Kobe Bryant, was released posthumously and topped the New York Times middle-grade hardcover list.

The Wizenard Series: Season One (The Wizenard Series, 2)

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April 2020: Bryant elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In April 2020, Kobe Bryant was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a couple of months after being named a finalist in his first year of eligibility.

May 2020: Mamba Sports Academy renamed

In May 2020, the Mamba Sports Academy was renamed to Sports Academy out of respect for Kobe Bryant.

August 2020: Omission from 2020 VMAs and Emmys

In August 2020, Kobe Bryant was not included in the montages at the 2020 VMAs and Emmys, which upset many fans.

2020: Lakers wear 'Black Mamba' jerseys in honor of Bryant

During the 2020 NBA playoffs, the Lakers' players wore 'Black Mamba' jerseys in honor of Kobe Bryant. The jerseys, designed by Bryant, feature a snakeskin pattern with yellow accents and 16 stars.

2020: Lakers win NBA championship

In 2020, after the Lakers beat the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Snoop Dogg paid homage to Bryant with a full forearm tattoo.

2020: Tributes at 2020 Pro Bowl

In 2020, before kickoff at the Pro Bowl, NFC players conducted a prayer led by Russell Wilson, while various on-field and PA tributes were made during the game in memory of Kobe Bryant.

2020: Honorary WNBA draft picks

In the 2020 WNBA draft, Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli, and Payton Chester were made honorary draft picks to honor their memory after their tragic death.

October 2021: Bryant named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In October 2021, Kobe Bryant was honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

2021: Posthumous induction into Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2021, Kobe Bryant was posthumously inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, with Vanessa Bryant delivering the acceptance speech on his behalf.

2021: Posthumous selection to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Kobe Bryant was posthumously named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, honoring him as one of the greatest players in NBA history.

January 26, 2022: Statue of Bryant and Gianna placed at crash site

On January 26, 2022, which coincided with the second anniversary of Kobe Bryant's death, a statue of Bryant and his daughter Gianna was placed at the crash site in Calabasas.

2022: The Athletic ranks Bryant as 10th-greatest NBA player

In 2022, The Athletic ranked Kobe Bryant as the 10th-greatest player in NBA history and the second-highest shooting guard on the list, behind only Michael Jordan.

February 28, 2023: Settlement in photos lawsuit

On February 28, 2023, Vanessa Bryant was awarded a $28.85 million settlement from Los Angeles County to conclude legal proceedings over graphic photos of the helicopter crash that were shared without the permission of the family.

2023: Lakers announce unveiling date of Kobe Bryant statue

In 2023, the Lakers announced that Kobe Bryant's statue outside of Crypto.com Arena would be unveiled on February 8, 2024.

February 8, 2024: Unveiling date of Kobe Bryant statue outside Crypto.com Arena

In 2023, the Lakers announced Kobe Bryant's statue outside of Crypto.com Arena would be unveiled on February 8, 2024, to honor his two numbers with the Lakers, 8 and 24, and 2 for the number of his daughter Gianna.