The Charlotte Hornets selected Bryant in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft.

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.

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.

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.

Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls is guarded by Bryant during a 2007 game played in L.A.

Kobe and fellow NBA player Lebron James of the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team defeated Spain 118-107 in the men’s gold medal basketball game at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

In 2010, the Bryant family celebrated the Lakers win over the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Kobe participated in the Lakers victory parade following their NBA championships win in 2010.

Bryant accepted the Icon Award onstage during the 2016 ESPYS.

Bryant’s family were by his side as he retired both his #8 and #24 Los Angeles Lakers jerseysat Staples Center in Dec. 2017.

At the 2018 Oscars, Bryant won the award for Best Animated Short Film for Dear Basketball.

Gianna Bryant, who also died in the crash, attended a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks in Nov. 2019.