Kobe Bryant was one of a kind. He started playing basketball at the age of 2 and began a lifelong love affair with the game. As he grew up, the young Kobe dreamed of being the best basketball player who ever lived.
Through talent, hard work and a fierce competitive spirit, Kobe became one of the game's all-time greats — a five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star. He retired from basketball in 2016 at the age of 37, finishing his 20-year NBA career with 33,643 points (25.0 per game), 7,047 rebounds (5.2), 6,306 assists (4.7) and 1,944 steals (1.4) in 1,346 games.
The basketball legend died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Jan. 26, 2020, at the age of 41, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others who were also on board traveling to her basketball game. Kobe inspired the world during his life, and his legend will live forever.