ISTANBUL
Sunday marks the fifth anniversary of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.
The sports world continues to mourn the devastating morning of Jan. 26, 2020. Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna were among those who perished in the crash, leaving an indelible impact on basketball fans and sports enthusiasts worldwide.
Bryant’s legendary career spanned over 20 years with the LA Lakers, where he earned five NBA championships, 18 All-Star selections, the 2008 NBA regular-season MVP award, back-to-back Finals MVP honors in 2009 and 2010, and two Olympic gold medals with Team USA in 2008 and 2012. His unparalleled influence on the game and his relentless “Mamba Mentality” inspired countless players and fans around the globe.
Following his passing, tributes poured in from all over the world. Murals celebrating Bryant’s legacy, his daughter’s memory, and the numbers “8” and “24” have appeared on basketball courts and street walls throughout the US and worldwide.
Bryant’s journey to becoming one of the world’s greatest basketball players is a testament to his exceptional talent, hard work, and dedication.
Selected 13th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Bryant was traded to the Lakers for Serbian center Vlade Divac, a move that would go on to become one of the most significant trades in NBA history.
At just 18 years and 158 days old, Bryant became the youngest starter in NBA history. Over the course of his 20-year career with the Lakers, he led the team to five NBA championships – in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010.
Known as the “Black Mamba,” Kobe Bryant established himself as one of the most skilled and determined players in the history of the game.
On April 13, 2016, Bryant crowned his illustrious career with a remarkable 60-point performance against the Utah Jazz in his final game, making him the oldest player to score 60 points in a single NBA match.
Making history
Bryant’s contribution to the Lakers was monumental, playing a central role in securing five NBA championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010).
In 2008, he earned the NBA MVP award, and in 2009 and 2010, was named Finals MVP in back-to-back seasons.
Bryant’s brilliance also extended to the All-Star Game, where he tied a record with four NBA All-Star Game MVP awards, matching Bob Pettit’s achievement.
Across 1,346 regular-season games, Bryant averaged 25 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game.
On the international stage, he helped Team USA secure Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, proving his leadership and scoring ability.
To honor his impact on the sport, after his tragic passing the NBA permanently renamed the All-Star Game MVP award the NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP Award.
4th on all-time scoring list
Bryant ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 33,643 points, solidifying his place among the league’s greatest offensive players.
One of his most iconic performances was on Jan. 22, 2006, when he scored a staggering 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the second-highest single-game scoring performance in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962.
Retirement
After his retirement in 2016, the City of Los Angeles declared Aug. 24 (8/24) Kobe Bryant Day, an annual celebration of his legacy. The date was chosen to honor the two iconic jersey numbers, 8 and 24, that Bryant wore during his career.
Bryant wore number 8 at the start of his career and switched to number 24 in 2006, representing his evolution as a player.
In 2017, Bryant became the first NBA player to have two jersey numbers retired by the same team, as both his number 8 and number 24 jerseys were raised to the rafters of the Staples Center (now known as Crypto.com Arena).
‘Oscar goes to Kobe’
In addition to his basketball career, Bryant also achieved success in the film industry. In 2018, he won an Oscar for his animated short film Dear Basketball, which was awarded Best Animated Short at the 90th Academy Awards.
The film, based on Bryant’s childhood dreams of becoming a basketball champion, became a heartfelt tribute to his career and passion for the game.
