The Black Mamba: Kobe Bryant Through The Years

UPDATED: Aug. 23, 2023 ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: Aug. 23, 2021 Today, fans around the world are celebrating what would have been Kobe Bryant‘s 45rd birthday. Known as one of the greatest players to ever hit the court, his presence is still just as strong today, despite losing his life three years ago in a California helicopter crash that also claimed the lives of his daughter Gianna and seven others.   Bryant captivated the hearts and minds of basketball fanatics as an NBA juggernaut for 20 years, beginning with being drafted in 1996 at the age of 17 from Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, to the Charlotte Hornets, where he was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. What followed was a bright, yet complicated legacy. There was glory: living a life beside his wife, Vanessa, and four children, Natalia, Gianna, Bianka and Capri; winning five NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and cementing his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players in the league’s history.

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But there was also grief, tragedy and a sobering fall from grace: rumors of Bryant’s larger than life ego; injuries that threatened his career; and a 2003 sexual assault accusation which opened a larger and ongoing conversation around consent and accountability. Years after the case was dropped, Bryant issued an apology acknowledging that he understood the alleged victim did not view their encounter as consensual as part of a civil case that was settled privately. At the end of his 20 seasons in the NBA, Bryant walked away from the court on the night of April 13, 2016, scoring 60 points in his final game against the Utah Jazz at his beloved homecourt in the Staples Center. He was an 18-time NBA All-Star, the 2008 NBA Season MVP., a two-time NBA Finals MVP and is retired as in fourth place on the all-time list of NBA career scoring leaders in the regular season and postseason. Bryant also won two Olympic Gold medals with Team USA and both of his jersey numbers, 8 and 24, were retired by the Lakers. Like many monumental figures, Bryant’s life was a balance of reinvention, restraint and drive. It seemed fairly apparent in what turned out to be his final years that he was thriving in an eloquent balance between the sports world, his family and his next chapter as an entrepreneur. One of his proudest off the court moments in his career was winning an Oscar in 2018 for his animated short, “Dear Basketball,” his retirement announcement served in the form of a love letter to the sport which helped him gain worldwide acclaim. What he enjoyed most post his NBA was his anchor: His family. He took pride in helping to mold Gianna, who held the same affection for the game of basketball as her father. A multitude of elements helped form the man known as Kobe Bryant, who was a father, husband, son, brother and friend. The below photos only catch a glimpse of what went into the making of Kobe Bryant, forever known as the “Black Mamba.”

1. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

2. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

Philadelphia, PA – September 25: Lower Merion’s Kobe Bryant goes to the net at the Palestra in a Feb 27, 1996 playoff game against Coatsville. (Photo by Pete Bannan/MediaNews Group/Main Line Media News via Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,people,full length,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,sport,childhood,basketball – sport,athlete,competition,nba,playoffs,nba playoffs,teenager,match – sport,kobe bryant,full body isolated,philadelphia – pennsylvania,high school,pennsylvania,net – sports equipment,nba pro basketball,eastern usa,lower merion

3. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

Hershey, PA – September 25: Kobe Bryant hugs his mother Pam Bryant after winning the basketball title at the Hershey arena on March 23, 1996 against Cathedral Prep 48-43. (Photo by Pete Bannan/MediaNews Group/Main Line Media News via Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,people,arts culture and entertainment,usa,celebration,waist up,sport,happiness,mother,childhood,two people,basketball – sport,athlete,nba,stadium,teenager,winning,kobe bryant,embracing,high school,pennsylvania,nba pro basketball,eastern usa,hershey – pennsylvania

4. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

American basketball player Kobe Bryant (1978-2020) and his sisters, Shaya Bryant and Sharia Bryant, attend an unspecified event in Los Angeles, California, 1996. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) color image,photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,attending,horizontal,usa,california,city of los angeles,males,females,group of people,basketball – sport,athlete,event,three quarter length,brother,sister,human interest,kobe bryant,sibling,small group of people,basketball player,1996

5. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

Adrmore, PA – September 25: Lower Merion’s Kobe Bryant announces April 29, 1996 that he is skipping college and will go into the draft following his senior year of high school. (Photo by Pete Bannan/MediaNews Group/Main Line Media News via Getty Images) color image,photography,celebrities,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,waist up,sport,childhood,basketball – sport,athlete,nba,teenager,kobe bryant,high school,press conference,pennsylvania,nba draft,nba pro basketball,draft – sports,eastern usa,lower merion,ardmore – pennsylvania

6. Kobe Bryant Through The years

Kobe Bryant, teenager woh was the first draft pick of the Lakers. Feature shots of Bryant while he is taking part in an ad shoot for Adidas at Will Rogers State Beach. (Photo by Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) vertical,photography,people,one person,usa,california,1990-1999,teenager,los angeles lakers,human interest,kobe bryant,draft pick

7. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

1996: Rookie Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during a game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire) vertical,photography,people,one person,usa,sport,california,basketball – sport,nba,incidental people,los angeles lakers,match – sport,kobe bryant,professional sport,inglewood,the forum – inglewood,taking a shot – sport,basketball hoop,free throw,rookie,nba pro basketball

8. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

CLEVELAND, : This 08 February, 1997, file photo shows Kobe Bryant, of the Los Angeles Lakers, holding the trophy for winning the NBA Slam Dunk contest at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Colorado District Attorney Mark Hurlbert formally charged Bryant 18 July, 2003, with one count of class 3 sexual assault, after a 19-year-old woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by Bryant at a luxury mountain resort where she worked. Bryant was arrested on 04 July after the woman told police she was assaulted and held against her will in a room at the resort on the night of June 30.AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES/FILES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) people,one person,usa,sport,ohio,basketball – sport,competition,1990-1999,nba,los angeles lakers,winning,kobe bryant,file,cleveland – ohio,showing,nba slam dunk contest,trophy – award,rocket mortgage fieldhouse

9. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 25 : Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant during Game 1 action during the NBA Playoff game against Portland Trailblazers in Los Angeles, California, April 25, 1998. (Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,people,full length,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,activity,sport,california,city of los angeles,motion,basketball – sport,1990-1999,playoffs,nba playoffs,los angeles lakers,match – sport,kobe bryant,full body isolated,portland trail blazers,nba pro basketball

10. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

Kobe Bryant (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers holds the Larry O’Brian trophy as teammate Shaquille O’Neal (L) hold the MVP trophy after winning the NBA Championship against Indiana Pacers 19 June, 2000, after game six of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers won the game 116-111 to take the NBA title 4-2 in the best-of-seven series. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO (Photo by – / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,sport,california,city of los angeles,basketball – sport,sports team,nba,playoffs,nba finals,staples center,los angeles lakers,match – sport,winning,kobe bryant,shaquille o’neal,most valuable player,indiana pacers,trophy – award

11. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

031395.SP.0615.lakers.21WS –– Lakers Kobe Bryant Bryant hangs on to the Championship trophy after defeating the 76ers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Philadelphia Wednesday June 13, 2001. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) vertical,people,one person,usa,basketball – sport,nba,playoffs,nba finals,los angeles lakers,human interest,winning,kobe bryant,pennsylvania,hanging,game five,larry o’brien nba championship trophy,trophy – award,sports championship

12. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (L), Rick Fox (2nd L), Linsey Hunter (2nd R) and Shaquille O’Neal (R) stand with the championship and MVP trophies after game four of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena 12 June 2002,in East Rutherford, NJ. The Lakers, led by O’Neal, swept to their third straight National Basketball Association championship with a 113-107 victory over the Nets. AFP PHOTO/Henny RAY ABRAMS (Photo by HENNY RAY ABRAMS / AFP) (Photo by HENNY RAY ABRAMS/AFP via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,new jersey,success,sport,attitude,basketball – sport,athlete,nba,playoffs,standing,stadium,east rutherford,nba finals,los angeles lakers,match – sport,winning,kobe bryant,shaquille o’neal,championship,most valuable player,rick fox,basketball player,izod center,sweeping,brooklyn nets – basketball team,trophy – award,lindsey hunter

13. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

Kobe Bryant waves to fans as the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate their 2009 NBA championship during a victory parade in downtown Los Angeles, California on June 17, 2009. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) horizontal,usa,celebration,success,sport,california,city of los angeles,basketball – sport,nba,parade,los angeles lakers,kobe bryant,downtown district,fan – enthusiast,victory parade,sports championship,waving – gesture

14. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 21: The crowd is reflected in the championship trophy held by Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant as he rides in the victory parade for the the NBA basketball champion team on June 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 87-79 in 7 games for the franchise’s 16 NBA title. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) people,one person,horizontal,usa,celebration,success,sport,california,city of los angeles,basketball – sport,sports team,nba,parade,los angeles lakers,kobe bryant,riding,fan – enthusiast,basketball guard,victory parade,nba pro basketball,trophy – award,sports championship,crowd of people

15. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 13: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama (Bottom row 4L)) poses for photographs with members of the 2010 NBA Championship Los Angeles Lakers during an event at the Boys and Girls Club at THEARC December 13, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Lakers team volunteered on projects at the club before being honored by the president for their victory. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,portrait,sport,child,boys,politics,government,barack obama,us president,basketball – sport,washington dc,event,nba,los angeles lakers,kobe bryant,boys and girls club of america,lamar odom,pau gasol,phil jackson,andrew bynum,metta world peace,nba pro basketball,derek fisher – basketball player,luke walton – coach

16. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant(L) and Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan(R) talk during a free-throw attempt during the fourth quarter 17 December at the United Center in Chicago. Bryant, who is 19 and bypassed college basketball to play in the NBA, scored a team-high 33 points off the bench, and Jordan scored a team-high 36 points. The Bulls defeated the Lakers 104-83. AFP PHOTO VINCENT LAFORET (Photo by VINCENT LAFORET / AFP) (Photo credit should read VINCENT LAFORET/AFP/Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,sport,talking,basketball – sport,1990-1999,nba,illinois,chicago – illinois,los angeles lakers,kobe bryant,effort,moving activity,taking a shot – sport,basketball guard,chicago bulls,united center,free throw,michael jordan – basketball player

17. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

FILE: Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to head coach Phil Jackson during a National Basketball Association game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Matt A. Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,sport,california,city of los angeles,basketball – sport,nba,staples center,los angeles lakers,match – sport,kobe bryant,listening,professional sport,head coach,charlotte hornets,basketball hoop,phil jackson,nba pro basketball

18. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 2: Kobe Bryant #8, Shaquille O’Neal #34 and Rick Fox #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers watch the game against the Washington Wizards on April 2, 2002 at the MCI Center in Washington, DC NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) color image,photography,horizontal,usa,sport,basketball – sport,washington dc,los angeles lakers,match – sport,kobe bryant,shaquille o’neal,watching,washington wizards,gratitude,description,rick fox,nba pro basketball,capital one arena

19. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

The Philadelphia 76ers point guard Allen Iverson (R) smiles as he moves past the Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (L) on his way to the basket 19 March 1999 in Philadelphia. Iverson scored 41 points in the 76ers 105-90 victory. AFP PHOTO/TOM MIHALEK (Photo by TOM MIHALEK / AFP) (Photo credit should read TOM MIHALEK/AFP via Getty Images) vertical,photography,usa,smiling,sport,motion,basketball – sport,1990-1999,kobe bryant,moving activity,pennsylvania,point guard,allen iverson – basketball player

20. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 26: Cavaliers LeBron James ,23, and Laker’s Kobe Bryant ,24, jockey for position in the second half During a basketball game January 27. 2008 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Sunday afternoon. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) vertical,color image,photography,usa,sport,california,city of los angeles,basketball – sport,nba,lebron james,staples center,los angeles lakers,match – sport,kobe bryant,position,cleveland cavaliers,second half – sport,nba pro basketball

21. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

CLEVELAND, OH – FEBRUARY 10, 2016: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers laughs during a press conference prior to a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on February 10, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won 120-111. (Photo by: 2016 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,waist up,sport,ohio,basketball – sport,nba,los angeles lakers,match – sport,kobe bryant,laughing,press conference,cleveland cavaliers,cleveland – ohio,nba pro basketball,rocket mortgage fieldhouse

22. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers waves to the crowd as he walks on the court before the game against the Utah Jazz on April 13, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) photography,people,one person,horizontal,usa,sport,california,city of los angeles,basketball – sport,nba,three quarter length,incidental people,walking,staples center,los angeles lakers,match – sport,kobe bryant,2010-2019,basketball team,2016,nba pro basketball,utah jazz – basketball team,crowd of people,sports court,waving – gesture

23. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

TOPSHOT – Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with teammates following his final game as a Laker in their season-ending NBA western division matchup aginst the Utah Jazz in Los Angeles, California on April 13, 2016, where the Lakers defeated the Jazz 101-96. / AFP / FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,celebration,sport,california,city of los angeles,basketball – sport,sports team,nba,los angeles lakers,match – sport,kobe bryant,embracing,2010-2019,final game,basketball team,2016,utah jazz – basketball team,following – moving activity

24. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

US basketball player Kobe Bryant (L) and US director Glen Keane stand on stage after they won the Best Animated Short Film for “Dear Basketball” during the 90th Annual Academy Awards show on March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / Mark Ralston (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images) photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,topix,film industry,california,fashion,basketball – sport,athlete,hollywood – california,film director,standing,award,annual event,awards ceremony,human interest,winning,kobe bryant,academy awards,basketball player,stage – performance space,glen keane,90th annual academy awards,best animated short film,best short film,dear basketball

25. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers kisses his wife Vanessa Bryant after retiring from basketball scoring 60 points against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Bryant played his last game as a Laker and retired from basketball. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) photography,people,horizontal,usa,adult,celebration,sport,california,city of los angeles,four people,women,basketball – sport,nba,wife,staples center,los angeles lakers,match – sport,kobe bryant,retirement,scoring,kissing,taking a shot – sport,vanessa bryant,women’s basketball,2010-2019,basketball team,2016,point – scoring,nba pro basketball,utah jazz – basketball team,making a basket – scoring

26. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during the post game news conference with daughters Natalia and Gianna Bryant as he celebrates after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) communication,horizontal,usa,celebration,waist up,sport,california,city of los angeles,talking,females,daughter,basketball – sport,boston celtics,nba,playoffs,nba finals,staples center,los angeles lakers,match – sport,kobe bryant,game seven,natalia bryant,gianna bryant,nba pro basketball

27. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

SAN DIEGO, CA – APRIL 10: NBA Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant stands on the sideline with his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant on his shoulders prior to the start of the game against the United States and China during an international firendly match at Qualcomm Stadium on April 10, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent C. Horner/Getty Images) vertical,photography,usa,adult,sport,california,females,women,daughter,standing,stadium,match – sport,kobe bryant,international match,san diego,sideline,china – east asia,qualcomm stadium,gianna bryant,women’s soccer – international,soccer – sport

28. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 23: (L-R) Vanessa Laine Bryant, Kobe Bryant, Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant and Natalia Diamante Bryant attend Tribeca Talks: Storytellers: Kobe Bryant with Glen Keane during 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 23, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/WireImage) photography,celebrities,people,arts culture and entertainment,attending,horizontal,family,usa,adult,new york city,film industry,talking,females,four people,women,daughter,basketball – sport,athlete,nba,wife,kobe bryant,performing arts center,tribeca film festival,vanessa bryant,storyteller,natalia bryant,gianna bryant,tribeca performing arts center,glen keane

29. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

30. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

PASADENA, CA – AUGUST 03: Kobe Bryant and his daughter Bianca look on during the USA Victory Tour match between the United States of America and the Republic of Ireland on August 3, 2019 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,sport,california,females,looking,daughter,stadium,match – sport,kobe bryant,pasadena – california,republic of ireland,rose bowl stadium – california,soccer – sport

31. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

32. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 29: Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,attending,horizontal,usa,topix,sport,california,city of los angeles,females,daughter,basketball – sport,nba,staples center,los angeles lakers,match – sport,kobe bryant,dallas mavericks,bestpix,gianna bryant,nba pro basketball

33. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

The seats where NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant sat on the last game they attended at the Staples Center are pictured covered with roses in their honor, after they were killed last weekend in a helicopter accident, ahead of a game between Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles, California on January 31, 2020. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) photography,attending,horizontal,usa,topix,sport,california,city of los angeles,sitting,females,daughter,basketball – sport,nba,staples center,los angeles lakers,weekend activities,match – sport,kobe bryant,rose – flower,honor,portland trail blazers,crash,helicopter,gianna bryant,accidents and disasters,helicopter crash

34. Kobe Bryant Through The Years

TAGUIG, PHILIPPINES – JANUARY 30: A large mural tribute for basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter is seen in Taguig, Philippines on January 30, 2020. On last January 26, 2020, nine people were killed in helicopter crash including the NBA basketball star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant. (Photo by DANTE DIOSINA JR/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,females,daughter,basketball – sport,human interest,kobe bryant,message,mural,philippines,crash,gianna bryant,capital region,taguig