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 celebrated American professional basketball player, dedicated his 20-year NBA career to the Los Angeles Lakers. Renowned as one of basketball's greatest and most influential figures, he secured five NBA championships, earned 18 All-Star selections, and consistently featured in the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams. Bryant was honored as the 2008 NBA MVP and twice received the NBA Finals MVP award. His scoring prowess places him fourth in both regular season and postseason league history. Posthumously, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, solidifying his legacy.

Sections (6)

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

1962: Chamberlain's 100-Point Game

On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in a game, which was the second-highest point total in NBA history, surpassed only by Chamberlain's 100-point game in 1962.

1978: First Minifigures With Natural Skin Tones

In 2003, Kobe Bryant was one of twenty-four athletes whose likeness was recreated by The LEGO Group for their LEGO Sports theme, historic for being the first LEGO minifigures with natural skin tones since their creation in 1978.

1988: Lakers Last Championship Before 2000

In 1988, the Lakers won a championship, marking their last championship until 2000 when Kobe Bryant helped lead the team to victory.

1990: Pistons Last Championship Before 2004

In 2004 the Lakers were upset in five games by the Detroit Pistons, who won their first championship since 1990.

2006: Jersey Sales Increase

In 2006, Kobe Bryant's jersey became the top-selling NBA jersey in the United States and China, attributed to his new number and performance.

2008: Ranked Second-Greatest Shooting Guard of All Time

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

2008: Donated Uniform to National Museum of African American History and Culture

In 2008, Kobe Bryant donated the uniform he wore in the NBA Finals to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, marking his MVP year.

2009: Lil Wayne releases "Kobe Bryant" song

In 2009, American rapper Lil Wayne released a song called "Kobe Bryant," paying tribute to the basketball star.

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

In 2010, American rapper Sho Baraka released a song titled "Kobe Bryant On'em" on his album Lions and Liars, as a tribute to Kobe Bryant.

2012: Chief Keef releases "Kobe"

In 2012, American rapper Chief Keef released a song called "Kobe" on his debut studio album, Finally Rich, as a part of the deluxe edition, paying tribute to Bryant.

2016: Ranked Second-Greatest Shooting Guard of All Time

In 2016, ESPN ranked Kobe Bryant the second-greatest shooting guard of all time after Michael Jordan.

December 18, 2017: Lakers Retire Both of Bryant's Numbers

On December 18, 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers retired both numbers Kobe Bryant wore during his career, 8 and 24, marking a unique honor in NBA history.

2017: Dear Basketball

In 2017, Kobe Bryant created Dear Basketball.

2017: Lakers Retire Numbers 8 and 24

In 2017, the Lakers retired both of Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers, 8 and 24.

October 23, 2018: Publication of The Mamba Mentality

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

2018: Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film

In 2018, Kobe Bryant won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for "Dear Basketball", becoming the first African-American to win in that category and the first former professional athlete to win an Oscar in any category.

2018: Academy Award Win

In 2018, Kobe Bryant won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for "Dear Basketball".

2018: Appeared at the Academy Awards

In 2018, after winning an Oscar for Dear Basketball, Kobe Bryant appeared at the start of the In Memoriam segment of the 92nd Academy Awards.

March 2020: Posthumous Release of "The Wizenard Series: Season One"

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

April 2020: Elected into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In April 2020, Kobe Bryant was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 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 after his death.

August 2020: Omission from VMAs

In August 2020, Kobe Bryant was omitted from the montages at the 2020 VMAs.

2020: Lakers Honor Bryant with 'Black Mamba' Jerseys

During the 2020 NBA playoffs, the Lakers wore 'Black Mamba' jerseys in honor of Kobe Bryant, which he designed himself. Players like Anthony Davis and LeBron James spoke about the importance of representing Kobe in these jerseys.

2020: Honorary WNBA Draft Picks

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

2020: Lakers win NBA Championship

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

2020: Tributes at 2020 Pro Bowl

In 2020, during the Pro Bowl, NFC players conducted a prayer led by Russell Wilson, and various on-field and PA tributes were made during the game to honor Kobe Bryant after his death.

October 2021: 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: NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Kobe Bryant was 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.

January 26, 2022: Statue Placed at Crash Site

On January 26, 2022, which was the second anniversary of Kobe Bryant and Gianna's death, a statue of them was placed at the site of the helicopter crash.

2022: Named Tenth-Greatest Player of All Time

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 Jordan.

2022: Initial verdict in Vanessa Bryant trial

In 2022, Vanessa Bryant was awarded $15 million from L.A. County in a civil trial. This amount was included in the final settlement of $28.85 million in 2023.

February 28, 2023: Settlement for Vanessa Bryant over Crash Photos

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 aftermath of the helicopter crash that were shared without the permission of the family.