MAMBA FOREVER

Kobe Bryant

1978 - 2020

Basketball legend. Father. Entrepreneur. Inspiration.

Scroll Down

The Legend

A glimpse into the life of a basketball icon

Kobe Bryant
24 8

Kobe Bean Bryant

Kobe Bean Bryant was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

5x NBA Champion

2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010

2x Finals MVP

2009, 2010

18x All-Star

1998, 2000-2016

1x NBA MVP

2008

"The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do."
- Kobe Bryant

Life Timeline

Key moments in Kobe Bryant's journey

1978

Birth

Born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1996

NBA Draft

Selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

2000-2002

First Three-Peat

Won three consecutive NBA championships with the Lakers alongside Shaquille O'Neal.

2006

81-Point Game

Scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the second-highest single-game total in NBA history.

2008

MVP Season

Won his only regular-season MVP award and led the Lakers to the NBA Finals.

2009-2010

Back-to-Back Championships

Led the Lakers to two more NBA championships, winning Finals MVP both years.

2016

Final Game

Scored 60 points in his final NBA game against the Utah Jazz.

2018

Oscar Win

Won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for "Dear Basketball."

2020

Tragic Passing

Passed away in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others.

Mamba Mentality

The philosophy that defined Kobe's approach to life

"Mamba Mentality" is the term Kobe coined to describe his approach to basketball and life. It represents a constant pursuit of self-improvement and an unwavering dedication to craft.

01

Relentless Work Ethic

Kobe was known for his legendary work ethic, often arriving hours before practice and staying long after.

02

Attention to Detail

He studied every aspect of the game, constantly looking for ways to improve even the smallest details.

03

Fearlessness

Kobe never shied away from taking the big shot or facing challenges head-on.

04

Resilience

He viewed setbacks and failures as opportunities to grow stronger and more determined.

"The Mamba Mentality is about focusing on the process and trusting in the hard work when it matters most."
- Kobe Bryant

Career Highlights

Unforgettable moments from an extraordinary career

Explore Kobe's Legacy

Discover more about the life, career, and impact of the Black Mamba.