Kobe Bryant — Timeline
Key moments in the life of Kobe Bryant.
1978
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 23
1996
Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets as the 13th overall pick; traded to the Los Angeles Lakers
2000
Won first NBA Championship with the Lakers, beginning the three-peat era
2002
Won third consecutive NBA Championship; established himself as one of the league's premier players
2006
Scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the second-highest single-game total in NBA history
2009
Won fourth NBA Championship and first Finals MVP award with the Lakers
2010
Won fifth NBA Championship with the Lakers, cementing legacy as an all-time great
2016
Announced retirement from professional basketball after 20 seasons with the Lakers
2018
Won Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for 'Dear Basketball'
2020
Died in a helicopter crash on January 26 in Calabasas, California at age 41