Early Beginnings
The Charlotte Hornets selected Bryant in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft.
Lakers Bound
After being the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Kobe the traded his draft rights to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Champs
Bryant is joined Shaquille O''Neal as they pose for a portrait with the Championship Trophy after defeating the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in 2000.
Black Mamba
Bryant helped the Lakers to a victory following Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic in 2009. The Lakers won the National Basketball Association championships defeating Orlando 99-86 for their 15th title and first since 2002. Bryant had 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Lakers completed a four-games-to-one victory in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.
Eye on the Prize
Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls is guarded by Bryant during a 2007 game played in L.A.
No. 1 Fan
Pictured here at the NBA Most Valuable Player Awards in 2008, Bryant and longtime love Vanessa were married in 2001.
Olympian
Kobe and fellow NBA player Lebron James of the U.S. Men's Senior National Team defeatied Spain 118-107 in the men's gold medal basketball game at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
Family Forever
In 2010, the Bryant family celebrated the Lakers win over the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
Legends Never Die
Lakers fans celebrated Kobe's Game Seven win at the 2010 NBA Finals.
Taking It All In
Kobe participated in the Lakers victory parade following their NBA championships win in 2010.
An Icon
Bryant accepted the Icon Award onstage during the 2016 ESPYS.
Soulmates
The couple attended the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscars party.
A Fond Farewell
Bryant's family were by his side as he retired both his #8 and #24 Los Angeles Lakers jerseysat Staples Center in Dec. 2017.
Oscar Winner
At the 2018 Oscars, Bryant won the award for Best Animated Short Film for Dear Basketball.
Kobe's Little Girl
Gianna Bryant, who also died in the crash, attended a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks in Nov. 2019.