After 20 seasons in the NBA, Kobe Bryant finally decided to hang it all up during the last game of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2015/16 NBA season. He finished his legendary and illustrious career with a 60-point performance against the Utah Jazz.
According to TMZ, the Los Angeles Lakers are planning to retire Kobe Bryant's jersey number on December 18 of the next NBA season before their game against the Golden State Warriors.
Kobe Bryant's journey in the NBA
Kobe Bryant was drafted straight out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets 13th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft and was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers where he spent all of his years in the NBA.
Many people doubted the young Kobe who was only 18 years old when he got drafted.
In his rookie season, Kobe only averaged 7.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks. And since that unproductive rookie season, it was all history from there on out.
Kobe Bryant averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.5 blocks throughout his career.
Kobe's awards and accolades
Kobe Bryant has had countless awards and achievements. Kobe is a five-time NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers; he was also named the Finals Most Valuable Player in the 2009 and 2010. He was also named as the Most Valuable Player during the 2007-2008 NBA season.
Kobe was named an All-star in 18 out of the 20 seasons he has played in the NBA; he was also a four-time All-star game Most Valuable Player.
He was a two-time scoring champion, 15-time All-NBA team member, 12-time All-Defensive team member, and a member of the 1996-1997 All-Rookie team.
He is also high on the NBA's all-time lists. Kobe is 15th in career games played, 8th in minutes played, 6th in field goals made, 16th in two-point field goals made, 12th in three-point field goals made, 3rd in free throws made, 53rd in defensive rebounds, 29th in assists, 15th in steals, and 3rd in points.
Kobe is also a two-time gold medalist in the Olympic Games.
The Los Angeles Lakers hasn't made a statement yet
Although an official statement from the Lakers organization has not been released yet, Kobe's jersey retirement will surely come sooner rather than later. It was also reported that the Lakers will retire both #8 and #24.
Kobe Bryant surely is one of the greatest Basketball players to ever live, and to say that he was amazing is a major understatement. Kobe is considered to be the greatest Basketball player to ever wear a Lakers uniform. If this jersey retirement comes through, Kobe will join the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O'Neal, and Jerry West among others.
