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. 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.
December 1962: Baylor's Consecutive 50-Point Games
In December 1962, Elgin Baylor scored 50 or more points in three consecutive contests for the Los Angeles Lakers.
1962: Chamberlain's 100-point game in 1962
On January 22, 2006, Bryant scored a career-high 81 points in a 122–104 victory over the Toronto Raptors, surpassed only by Chamberlain's 100-point game in 1962.
1964: First player since 1964 to score 45 points or more in four consecutive games
In January 2006, Kobe became the first player since 1964 to score 45 points or more in four consecutive games, joining Chamberlain and Baylor as the only players to do so.
1969: West's Finals Performance
In the 1969 NBA Finals, Jerry West averaged at least 32.4 points and 7.4 assists, a feat that Kobe Bryant matched in his own Finals performance.
1987: Jordan's Last 50-Plus Point Games Streak
In 1987, Michael Jordan was the last player to score 50 or more points in three straight games, a feat Kobe Bryant later matched.
1988: Previous Lakers championship
The Lakers won their first championship since 1988 in 2000.
1990: Detroit Pistons win first championship since 1990
In 2004, the Detroit Pistons won their first championship since 1990, defeating the Lakers in five games.
1995: Senior MVP Award
In 1995, Kobe Bryant earned the Adidas ABCD Camp senior MVP award while playing alongside future NBA teammate Lamar Odom.
1996: Magic Johnson's Playoff Assists
In 1996, Magic Johnson recorded 13 assists in a playoff game, a mark that Kobe Bryant matched in the 2010 playoffs.
1997: Bryant wins the 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, Kobe Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest and was named an All-Star by his second season.
1997: All-Star Weekend and Slam Dunk Win
In 1997, during the All-Star weekend, Kobe Bryant participated in the Rookie Challenge and won the Slam Dunk Contest.
January 1999: Billboard Hot 100 Appearance
In January 1999, Kobe Bryant made his only credited appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 as a featured rapper on Brian McKnight and Tone's single "Hold Me," which peaked at number 35.
2000: First Championship with Phil Jackson
In 2000, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal won the first of three consecutive NBA championships with Phil Jackson as coach.
2000: Lakers win championship
In 2000, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers won their first championship since 1988, defeating the Indiana Pacers in the Finals. Bryant had clutch performances, including Game 4 where he led the team to an overtime victory with 22 points in the second half after O'Neal fouled out. The Lakers won the series 4-2.
2000: First gold medal since the 2000 Olympics
On August 24, 2008, Team USA won its first gold medal since the 2000 Olympics. Kobe Bryant scored 20 points in the gold medal game, leading Team USA to defeat Spain 118–107.
2001: Second Championship
In 2001, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal won their second consecutive NBA championship under coach Phil Jackson.
January 14, 2002: Bryant scores career-high 56 points
On January 14, 2002, Kobe Bryant scored a then career-high 56 points, along with five rebounds and four assists, in a 120–81 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
2002: Third Consecutive Championship
In 2002, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal secured their third consecutive NBA championship with the Lakers.
2002: Bryant wins third championship
In 2002, at age 23, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player to win three championships after the Lakers defeated the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals. He averaged 26.8 points, 51.4% shooting, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists per game in the series.
January 7, 2003: Bryant sets NBA record for three-pointers
On January 7, 2003, Kobe Bryant set an NBA record for three-pointers in a game, making 12 against the Seattle SuperSonics.
2003: Bryant's Lowest Shots Per Game
During the 2010-2011 NBA season, Kobe Bryant averaged less than 20 shots a game, his fewest since the 2003-2004 season.
2003: Bryant is the leading vote-getter
In 2003, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game.
December 20, 2005: Bryant scores 62 points in three quarters
On December 20, 2005, Kobe Bryant scored 62 points in three quarters against the Dallas Mavericks, outscoring the entire Mavericks team 62–61, a feat unmatched since the introduction of the shot clock.
2005: NBA scoring title
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). He won the league's scoring title for the first time by averaging 35.4 points per game
2005: Bryant leads the NBA in scoring
In 2005, Kobe Bryant led the NBA in scoring during the 2005–06 season.
January 22, 2006: Bryant scores career-high 81 points
On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant scored a career-high 81 points in a 122–104 victory over the Toronto Raptors, marking the second-highest point total in NBA history.
January 22, 2006: Career-High 81 Points
On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant scored a career-high 81 points in a single NBA game.
2006: All-Star Game appearance
During the 2006–07 season, Kobe Bryant was selected to his ninth All-Star Game appearance, and on February 18, he logged 31 points, six assists, and six steals, earning his second career All-Star Game MVP trophy.
2006: Bryant leads the NBA in scoring and scores 81 points against Toronto
In 2006, Kobe Bryant led the NBA in scoring during the 2005-06 season and scored 81 points against Toronto, which was the second-highest in NBA history.
2006: NBA Leading Scorer
In the 2006-07 season, Kobe Bryant led the NBA in scoring.
December 23, 2007: Bryant Reaches 20,000 Career Points
On December 23, 2007, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player at 29 years and 122 days old to reach 20,000 career points, scoring 39 points against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. He also had 11 rebounds and eight assists in that game. This record has since been broken by LeBron James.
2007: Began United States national team career
In 2007, Kobe Bryant began his United States national team career, being a member of the 2007 USA Men's Senior National Team and USA FIBA Americas Championship Team.
May 6, 2008: Bryant Named League MVP
On May 6, 2008, Kobe Bryant was officially announced as the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) after leading his team to a West-leading 57–25 record.
May 8, 2008: Bryant Unanimously Selected to All-NBA First Team
On May 8, 2008, Kobe Bryant was the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA First Team for the third straight season and sixth time in his career. He also headlined the NBA All-Defensive First Team.
August 24, 2008: Won gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics
On August 24, 2008, Kobe Bryant scored 20 points in the gold medal game, leading Team USA to defeat Spain 118–107 and secure their first gold medal since the 2000 Olympics.
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.
2008: Donation to National Museum of African American History and Culture
In 2008, Kobe Bryant and his wife were founding donors of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with Bryant also donating his uniform from the 2008 NBA Finals, the year Bryant was named the league MVP.
2008: NBA MVP Award
In 2008, Kobe Bryant was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).
2008: Bryant wins MVP and a gold medal
In 2008, Kobe Bryant was voted the league MVP and won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. men's basketball team at the Summer Olympics.
2008: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2008, Kobe Bryant won a gold medal as part of the U.S. Olympic team.
2008: Qualified for the 2008 Olympics
In 2008, Kobe Bryant's team won gold at the USA FIBA Americas Championship, securing qualification for the United States men's team for the 2008 Olympics.
2008: Rematch Against Celtics
In 2010, the Lakers faced the Boston Celtics in a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals, with Bryant leading the Lakers to victory in seven games to win the championship.
January 21, 2009: Bryant Records Triple-Double
Kobe Bryant recorded his first triple-double since January 21, 2009, against the Denver Nuggets.
February 2, 2009: Bryant Scores 61 at Madison Square Garden
On February 2, 2009, Kobe Bryant scored 61 points in a game against the New York Knicks, setting a record for the most points scored at Madison Square Garden.
December 4, 2009: Bryant's Game-Winning Shot Over Wade
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 another NBA Championship and was named NBA Finals MVP.
2009: Bryant wins another championship and the Finals MVP award
In 2009, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to another championship and won the Finals MVP award.
2010: Bryant Reaches 25,000 Career Points
During the 2009-2010 season, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player at 31 years and 151 days old to reach 25,000 career points, surpassing Wilt 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 wins another championship and the Finals MVP award
In 2010, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to another championship and won the Finals MVP award.
2010: Lakers Start Season Strong
The Lakers started the 2010-2011 season by winning their first eight games.
January 30, 2011: Bryant Reaches 27,000 Points
On January 30, 2011, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player to score 27,000 points in a game against the Boston Celtics.
2011: Bryant is the leading vote-getter
In 2011, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game.
November 2, 2012: Bryant passes Magic Johnson as Lakers career leader in steals
On November 2, 2012, Kobe Bryant scored 40 points with two steals, passing Magic Johnson as the Lakers' career leader in steals. However, the Lakers lost the game to the Clippers and started the season 0–3 for the first time in 34 years.
2012: Won another gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics
In 2012, Kobe Bryant rejoined the national team for the Summer Olympics, where he won another gold medal and decided to retire from the team.
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.
2012: Bryant wins another gold medal
In 2012, Kobe Bryant won another gold medal at the Summer Olympics.
2012: Second Olympic Gold Medal
In 2012, Kobe Bryant won his second gold medal as part of the U.S. Olympic team.
March 30, 2013: Bryant becomes fourth-leading scorer in league history
On March 30, 2013, Kobe Bryant surpassed Wilt Chamberlain to become the fourth-leading scorer in league history, during a victory over Sacramento.
April 10, 2013: Bryant achieves unique NBA record
On April 10, 2013, Kobe Bryant became the first player in NBA history to record at least 47 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and three steals in a single game.
2013: Listed as the fifth-highest paid sports star in the world by Forbes
In 2013, Kobe Bryant was listed by Forbes as the fifth-highest paid sports star in the world.
2013: Bryant is the leading vote-getter
In 2013, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game.
November 30, 2014: Bryant Records 20th Career Triple-Double
On November 30, 2014, in an overtime victory against the Toronto Raptors, Kobe Bryant recorded his 20th career triple-double with 31 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds. At 36 years old, he became the oldest NBA player to reach 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game.
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.
2016: Bryant is the leading vote-getter
In 2016, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game.
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).
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.
August 2018: Valuation of Bodyarmor Stake Rises
In August 2018, with The Coca-Cola Company purchasing a minority stake in Bodyarmor SuperDrink, the valuation of Kobe Bryant's stake rose to approximately $200 million.
2018: Academy Award Win
In 2018, Kobe Bryant won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for "Dear Basketball" (2017).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
August 2, 2024: Lakers unveil a statue of Kobe and Gianna Bryant outside of Crypto.com Arena.
On August 2, 2024, the Lakers also unveiled a statue of Kobe and Gianna Bryant outside of Crypto.com Arena.
2024: LeBron James broke Kobe's record
In 2024, LeBron James surpassed Kobe Bryant for missing the most field goal attempts in NBA history.
February 2025: Trump announces Bryant would get a statue in National Garden of American Heroes
In February 2025, Donald Trump announced that Kobe Bryant would get a statue in the proposed National Garden of American Heroes.
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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