Kobe Bryant's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of Kobe Bryant. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
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.
1962: Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points
In 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points, which was more than Bryant's 81 points in 2006.
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.
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: Adidas ABCD Camp MVP
In 1995, at Adidas ABCD Camp, Kobe Bryant earned the senior MVP award.
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: Bryant won NBA Slam Dunk Contest
In 1997, Kobe Bryant won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and was its youngest winner.
1997: Slam Dunk Contest win
In 1997, as a rookie, Kobe Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest.
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.
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: 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: Bryant was the Leading Vote-Getter at All-Star Game
In 2003, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote-getter at the All-Star Game.
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: Bryant Led NBA in Scoring
In the 2005-06 NBA season, Kobe Bryant led the NBA in scoring, establishing himself as one of the league's top offensive players.
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.
2006: Bryant's 81-Point Game
In 2006, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against Toronto, the second-highest single-game total in NBA history. He also led the NBA in scoring during the 2006-07 season.
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.
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.
August 24, 2008: Won gold medal at Olympics
On August 24, 2008, Kobe Bryant scored 20 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, along with six assists, as Team USA defeated Spain 118–107 in the gold medal game at the Olympics.
2008: ESPN Ranked Bryant Second-Greatest Shooting Guard
In 2008, ESPN ranked Kobe Bryant the second-greatest shooting guard of all time after Michael Jordan.
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: NBA MVP Award
In 2008, Kobe Bryant was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).
2008: Bryant Won MVP and Olympic Gold Medal
In 2008, Kobe Bryant was voted the league MVP and led his team to the NBA Finals. In the 2008 Summer Olympics, Bryant won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. men's basketball team.
2008: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2008, Kobe Bryant won a gold medal on the U.S. Olympic team.
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.
2009: NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2009, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to an NBA championship and was named NBA Finals MVP.
2009: Bryant Led Lakers to Championship
In 2009, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to another championship and won the Finals MVP award.
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: Bryant Led Lakers to Another Championship
In 2010, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to another championship and won the Finals MVP award for the second consecutive year.
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 was the Leading Vote-Getter at All-Star Game
In 2011, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote-getter at the All-Star Game.
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.
2012: Honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans
In 2012, Kobe Bryant was honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans for his high school play as well as his later accomplishments.
2012: Bryant Won Second Olympic Gold Medal
In 2012, Kobe Bryant won his second gold medal at the Summer Olympics as a member of the U.S. men's basketball team.
January 11, 2013: Bryants call off divorce
On January 11, 2013, Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa announced via social media that they had called off their divorce.
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.
2013: Bryant was the Leading Vote-Getter at All-Star Game
In 2013, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote-getter at the All-Star Game.
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.
2016: ESPN Ranked Bryant Second-Greatest Shooting Guard Again
In 2016, ESPN again ranked Kobe Bryant as the second-greatest shooting guard of all time, following Michael Jordan.
2016: Bryant was the Leading Vote-Getter at All-Star Game
In 2016, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote-getter at the All-Star Game.
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.
2017: Lakers Retire Bryant's 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.
2018: Bryant wins Academy Award 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. The film also won the Annie Award for Best Animated Short Subject and a Sports Emmy Award.
2018: Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film
In 2018, Kobe Bryant won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for Dear Basketball (2017).
2018: Bryant appeared at Academy Awards following his Oscar win
In 2018, following his Oscar win for Dear Basketball, Kobe Bryant appeared at the start of the In Memoriam segment of the 92nd Academy Awards. Spike Lee wore a suit in tribute to him at the ceremony.
April 2020: Bryant Elected into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
In April 2020, Kobe Bryant was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, weeks after his death.
2020: Lakers Win NBA Championship
In 2020, after the Lakers won the NBA Finals, Snoop Dogg paid homage to Kobe Bryant with a forearm tattoo.
October 2021: Bryant Honored on NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In October 2021, Kobe Bryant was honored as one of the league's greatest players by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
2021: Bryant Posthumously Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame
In 2021, Kobe Bryant was posthumously inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Vanessa Bryant delivered the acceptance speech on his behalf.
2021: NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In 2021, Kobe Bryant was posthumously named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
2022: The Athletic Ranked Bryant as 10th-Greatest Player
In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary, The Athletic ranked Kobe Bryant as the 10th-greatest player in NBA history.
February 8, 2024: Statue unveiling date announced
In 2023, on Kobe Bryant Day, August 24, the Lakers announced that 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.
August 2, 2024: Statue of Kobe and Gianna Bryant unveiled
On August 2, 2024, the Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe and Gianna Bryant outside of Crypto.com Arena.
2025: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction
In 2025, Kobe Bryant will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.
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