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 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming a basketball icon. He secured five NBA championships, earned 18 All-Star selections, and was named the 2008 NBA MVP. Bryant received two NBA Finals MVP awards and twice led the league in scoring. He holds the fourth position in all-time NBA regular season and postseason scoring. Posthumously, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, once individually in 2020 and again in 2025 as part of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.
1962: Chamberlain's 100-Point Game
In 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points, setting the NBA record for the highest individual score in a single game.
1964: Bryant Joins Elite Scoring Company
In January 2006, Kobe Bryant became the first player since 1964 to score 45 points or more in four consecutive games, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor.
1969: West's NBA 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 later years.
1987: Jordan's last 50-plus point game streak
In 1987, Michael Jordan was the last player before Kobe Bryant to score 50+ points in three straight games.
1988: Lakers Last Championship
In 1988, prior to the 2000 NBA Finals victory, the Lakers had last won a championship.
1995: MVP Award at Adidas ABCD Camp
At Adidas ABCD Camp in 1995, Kobe Bryant earned the senior MVP award.
1997: Bryant Won NBA Slam Dunk Contest
In 1997, Kobe Bryant won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and became its youngest winner.
2000: Lakers Championship Victory
In 2000, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal led the Lakers to win 67 games. Bryant was named to the All-NBA Second Team and All-NBA Defensive Team for the first time. In the 2000 Finals against the Indiana Pacers, despite an ankle injury, Bryant led the team to an overtime victory in Game 4. The Lakers won their first championship since 1988 with a 116-111 victory in Game 6.
2000: First NBA Championship with Phil Jackson
In 2000, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers won their first of three consecutive championships under Phil Jackson's coaching.
2000: Won First NBA Championship
In 2000, Kobe Bryant won the first of three consecutive NBA championships with the Lakers.
2000: First gold medal for USA in a worldwide competition
In 2000, The Olympics, Team USA secured its first gold medal in a worldwide competition.
2000: Bryant's Statistical Performance and Team Leadership
In the 2000-01 NBA season, Kobe Bryant's statistical performance was similar to the previous year, but he averaged six more points per game, totaling 28.5. He also led the team in assists with five per game.
2001: Won Second NBA Championship
In 2001, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers won their second consecutive NBA championship.
2001: Bryant's All-Star MVP Trophy Claim
In 2001-02 season, Bryant claimed his first All-Star MVP trophy after a 31-point performance in Philadelphia, although he was booed by fans.
January 14, 2002: Bryant's Career-High Scoring Game Against Grizzlies
On January 14, 2002, Kobe Bryant scored a career-high 56 points, along with five rebounds and four assists, in a 120-81 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
2002: Won Third Consecutive NBA Championship
In 2002, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers won their third consecutive NBA championship.
2002: Lakers Third Consecutive NBA Finals Appearance and Championship
In 2002, the Lakers made their third consecutive NBA Finals appearance, with Kobe Bryant averaging 26.8 points. They won the championship against the New Jersey Nets, making Bryant, at age 23, the youngest player to win three championships.
January 7, 2003: Bryant Sets NBA Record for Three-Pointers in a Game
On January 7, 2003, Kobe Bryant set an NBA record for three-pointers in a game when he made 12 against the Seattle SuperSonics.
2003: Bryant Was the Leading All-Star 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 through three quarters.
2005: Bryant Sets Lakers Single-Season Franchise Records
By the end of the 2005-06 season, Kobe 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 Led NBA in Scoring
In 2005, Kobe Bryant led the NBA in scoring.
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, the second-highest point total in NBA history.
2006: Bryant Selected for All-Star Game, Wins MVP; Involved in On-Court Incidents
During the 2006-07 season, Kobe Bryant was selected to his ninth All-Star Game appearance, earning his second career All-Star Game MVP trophy on February 18. He was also involved in multiple on-court incidents, resulting in suspensions.
2006: Bryant Led NBA in Scoring and Scored 81 Points Against Toronto
In 2006, Kobe Bryant led the NBA in scoring. Also in 2006, Bryant had an 81-point performance against Toronto, the second-highest in NBA history.
December 23, 2007: Bryant reaches 20,000 career points
On December 23, 2007, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player at 29 years, 122 days old to reach 20,000 career points in a game against the New York Knicks.
2007: Began national team career
In 2007, Kobe Bryant's United States national team career began. He became a member of the 2007 USA Men's Senior National Team and USA FIBA Americas Championship Team, achieving a 10–0 record, winning gold, and qualifying the United States men for the 2008 Olympics.
May 6, 2008: Bryant announced as league MVP
On May 6, 2008, Kobe Bryant was officially announced as the league MVP after leading the Lakers to a West-leading record.
May 8, 2008: Bryant is unanimous All-NBA selection
On May 8, 2008, Kobe Bryant was the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA 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 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, securing its first gold medal in a worldwide competition since the 2000 Olympics.
2008: Rematch against the Celtics
In 2008 there was a rematch against the 2008 Champion Boston Celtics in which the Lakers would go on to win the championship.
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: Donation to National Museum of African American History and Culture
In 2008, Kobe Bryant donated his uniform from the 2008 NBA Finals to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Bryant was also named the league MVP the same year.
2008: Qualified for the 2008 Olympics
In 2008, Kobe Bryant was a member of the USA FIBA Americas Championship Team and helped qualified the United States men for the 2008 Olympics.
2008: Kobe Bryant Named NBA MVP
In 2008, Kobe Bryant was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).
2008: Bryant Won MVP and a Gold Medal
In 2008, Kobe Bryant was voted the league MVP and led his team to the 2008 NBA Finals. In the 2008 Summer Olympics, Bryant won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. men's basketball team.
2008: Won Gold Medal at Olympics
In 2008, Kobe Bryant won a gold medal as part of the U.S. Olympic team.
2008: Lakers reach NBA Finals
In 2008, the Lakers earned their second straight trip to the NBA Finals after defeating the Denver Nuggets in the Conference Finals.
January 21, 2009: Bryant records triple-double
On January 21, 2009, Kobe Bryant recorded his first triple-double since January 21, 2009.
February 2, 2009: Bryant sets scoring record at Madison Square Garden
On February 2, 2009, Kobe Bryant scored 61 points against the Knicks, setting a record for the most points scored at Madison Square Garden.
December 4, 2009: Bryant makes game-winning shot against Heat
On December 4, 2009, Kobe Bryant made a buzzer-beating, one-legged three-pointer over Dwyane Wade, leading to the Lakers' narrow 108–107 victory over the Miami Heat.
2009: Bryant Led the Lakers to a Championship and Won the Finals MVP
In 2009, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to a championship, winning the Finals MVP award.
2009: Won NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2009, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to another championship and was named NBA Finals MVP.
2010: Bryant reaches 25,000 career points
In 2010, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player at 31 years, 151 days old, to reach 25,000 career points, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain.
2010: Bryant Led the Lakers to Another Championship and Won the Finals MVP
In 2010, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to another championship, winning the Finals MVP award.
2010: Won Another NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 2010, Kobe Bryant led the team to another championship and was again named NBA Finals MVP.
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 All-Star Vote-Getter
In 2011, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star game.
January 10, 2012: 48 points against the Suns
On January 10, 2012, Kobe Bryant scored 48 points against the Phoenix Suns, after which he referenced his preseason ranking.
November 2, 2012: Passing Magic Johnson in Lakers Steals
On November 2, 2012, Kobe Bryant scored 40 points and had two steals, surpassing Magic Johnson as the Lakers' career leader in steals with 1,724 steals. Despite Bryant's performance, the Lakers lost to the Clippers, marking their first 0-3 start to the season in 34 years.
2012: Rejoined the national team for the Summer Olympics
In 2012, Kobe Bryant rejoined the national team for the Summer Olympics and won another gold medal, after which he decided to retire from the team. He concluded his national team career with a 26–0 record across three tournaments, winning gold each time.
2012: Honored as One of the 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 and later accomplishments.
2012: Bryant Won Another Gold Medal at the Summer Olympics
In 2012, Kobe Bryant won another gold medal at the Summer Olympics.
2012: Won Second Gold Medal at Olympics
In 2012, Kobe Bryant won his second gold medal as part of the U.S. Olympic team.
March 30, 2013: Surpassing Chamberlain as fourth-leading scorer
On March 30, 2013, Kobe Bryant surpassed Wilt Chamberlain to become the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history during a victory over the Sacramento Kings.
April 10, 2013: First player with 47 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and three steals
On April 10, 2013, Kobe Bryant became the first player in NBA history to record 47 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and three steals in a single game.
November 2013: Resuming Practice after Achilles Injury
In November 2013, Kobe Bryant resumed practicing with the Lakers after recovering from an Achilles injury he suffered during the previous 2012-13 season.
2013: Ranked fifth-highest paid sports star
In 2013, Forbes listed Kobe Bryant as the fifth-highest paid sports star in the world, behind Floyd Mayweather, Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Lionel Messi.
2013: Bryant Was the Leading All-Star Vote-Getter
In 2013, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star game.
November 30, 2014: 20th Career Triple-Double
On November 30, 2014, Kobe Bryant recorded his 20th career triple-double with 31 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds in an overtime victory against the Toronto Raptors. At 36 years old, he became the oldest NBA player to achieve 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game.
2016: ESPN Again Ranked Bryant Second-Greatest Shooting Guard
In 2016, ESPN again ranked Kobe Bryant the second-greatest shooting guard of all time after Michael Jordan.
2016: Bryant Was the Leading All-Star Vote-Getter
In 2016, Kobe Bryant was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star game.
December 18, 2017: Lakers Retired Both Numbers 8 and 24
On December 18, 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers retired both numbers that Kobe Bryant wore during his career, 8 and 24.
2017: Lakers Retired Both Numbers
In 2017, the Lakers retired both of Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers, 8 and 24.
2018: Kobe Bryant Appears at the Academy Awards
In 2018, Kobe Bryant appeared at the Academy Awards and received an Oscar for his film, Dear Basketball.
2018: Won Academy Award for Dear Basketball
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, weeks after being named a finalist in his first year of eligibility.
2020: Lakers Win Championship and Snoop Dogg's Tattoo
In 2020, after the Lakers won their 17th NBA championship, Snoop Dogg paid tribute to Kobe Bryant with a full 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 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 NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In 2021, Kobe Bryant was posthumously named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
2022: The Athletic Ranked Bryant 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.
2024: LeBron James broke field goal attempts record
In 2024, LeBron James broke Kobe Bryant's record for most missed field goal attempts in an NBA career.
2025: Hall of Fame Induction as Olympic Team Member
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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