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 shooting guard, played his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Recognized as one of basketball's greatest, he secured five NBA championships, 18 All-Star selections, and the 2008 NBA MVP award. Bryant earned two NBA Finals MVP awards and two scoring titles, holding the fourth-highest rank in NBA regular season and postseason scoring history. Posthumously honored, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021 and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice; once in 2020 as a player and again in 2025 for his contribution to the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

Sections (6)

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

2003: Meeting Between Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming

In 2003, the first ever head-to-head meeting between Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming was the most watched with more viewers.

2007: CNN estimated Bryant's endorsement deals in 2007 to be worth $16 million a year.

CNN estimated Kobe Bryant's endorsement deals in 2007 to be worth $16 million a year.

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," paying tribute to the basketball star.

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2009: Kobe Doin' Work Documentary

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

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. It was featured on his debut studio album, Finally Rich, as a part of the deluxe edition.

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2012: McDonald's All-American Honor

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

2016: ESPN again ranks Bryant as second-greatest shooting guard

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

December 18, 2017: Lakers retire both of Kobe Bryant's numbers

On December 18, 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers retired both numbers that Kobe Bryant wore during his career, 8 and 24.

2017: Dear Basketball Release

In 2017, Dear Basketball was released. In 2018, Kobe Bryant won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for "Dear Basketball" (2017).

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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.

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 photographs and reflections on his career. The book also featured contributions from Andrew D. Bernstein, Phil Jackson, and Pau Gasol.

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play

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2018: Academy Award Win

In 2018, Kobe Bryant won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for "Dear Basketball" (2017).

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2019: Global ambassador of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China

In 2019, Kobe Bryant served as one of the global ambassadors of the FIBA Basketball World Cup held in China.

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. The book 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, after being named a finalist weeks after his death.

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 VMAs and Emmys

In August 2020, Kobe Bryant was not included in the montages at the 2020 VMAs and Emmys, leading to fan upset, especially as actors Naya Rivera and Chadwick Boseman had been featured prominently in both.

2020: Snoop Dogg Tattoo

After the Lakers won the 2020 NBA Finals, rapper Snoop Dogg paid homage to Kobe Bryant and the Lakers with a full forearm tattoo.

2020: Lakers wear "Black Mamba" jerseys in honor of Bryant during the NBA playoffs

During the 2020 NBA playoffs, the Lakers' players wore 'Black Mamba' jerseys in honor of Kobe Bryant. The Black Mamba jersey was designed by Kobe Bryant himself.

Facsimile Autographed LeBron James #23 Los Angeles LA Black Mamba Reprint Laser Auto Basketball Jersey Size Men's XL

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October 2021: Bryant named to the 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: NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Kobe Bryant was posthumously named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

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

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

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

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.

2022: Civil Trial Settlement

In 2022, Vanessa Bryant was awarded $15 million from L.A. County in a civil trial.

February 28, 2023: Vanessa Bryant Settlement with Los Angeles County

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. The figure includes the $15 million she was awarded from L.A. County in a 2022 civil trial, with "additional funds to settle potential claims from her daughters"—Natalia, 20, Bianka, 6, and Capri, 3. Chris Chester, a co-plaintiff who lost his 45-year-old wife and 13-year-old daughter in the crash, settled for $19.95 million.

2023: Lakers announce unveiling date for Bryant's statue

In 2023, the Lakers stated that 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.

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

The Lakers announced that 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.