CHRONOLOGY

JUNE 26, 1996

Bryant is selected 13th overall in the NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets. As part of a pre-agreed deal his rights are traded to the Los Angeles Lakers five days later.

NOVEMBER 3, 1996

At 18 years and 72 days, Bryant becomes at the time the youngest player ever to play in an NBA game.

FEBRUARY 8, 1998

Voted in by fans, Bryant becomes the youngest All-Star in league history and scores a team-high 18 points for the Western Conference.

JUNE 14, 2000

Returning from an ankle injury suffered in Game 2 of the Finals, Kobe hits three clutch shots in Game 4, including the go-ahead putback layup to seal an overtime win over the Pacers and a 3–1 series lead. Bryant wins his first championship five days later.

2001

The Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers in five games for a second straight title.

2002

L.A. returns to the Finals and completes a three-peat with a clean sweep of the New Jersey Nets.

FEBRUARY 2003

Bryant averages 40.6 points per game for the month of February.

2004

The Lakers return to the Finals for the fourth time in five years, but fall to the Pistons in five games.

JANUARY 22, 2006

Bryant scores a career-high 81 points in a win over the Toronto Raptors.

2008

Bryant is named league MVP after leading the Lakers to the best record in the West, battling through a serious finger injury in his shooting hand. He becomes the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer in the process. The Lakers fall to the Celtics in the Finals in six games.

JUNE 2008

Bryant and Team USA’s “Redeem Team” secure a gold medal in Beijing.

2009

The Lakers roll to another NBA championship in five games against the Orlando Magic. Bryant is named Finals MVP.

2010

At the end of an epic series, Bryant pockets his fifth championship and second Finals MVP award, getting revenge over the Celtics and helping the Lakers back from a 13-point second-half deficit in Game 7 to seal the title.

APRIL 12, 2013

Bryant tears his Achilles tendon in a game against the Warriors.

DECEMBER 14, 2014

Bryant takes his place as the NBA’s third all-time leading scorer, surpassing Michael Jordan’s 32,292-point mark.

NOVEMBER 29, 2015

Kobe announces his forthcoming retirement at the end of the season.

APRIL 13, 2016

In the final game of his career, Bryant scores a remarkable 60 points on the road in Utah, including 23 fourth-quarter points to ice a five-point win over the Jazz.