All 9 people on board, together with Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, died in the crash. National and worldwide tributes came flooding in from sports activities stars, fans and celebrities. Bryant actually made his mark on the history of basketball, and his dying leaves an immense void.

Several months later Bryant was accused of raping a young woman in Colorado. He maintained his innocence, and all expenses have been ultimately dropped when the woman refused to testify after a monthslong marketing campaign of harassment by fans of Bryant and some members of the media. (Bryant later apologized, admitting that he realized his accuser did not believe their sexual encounter was consensual, and a civil go properly with was settled in 2005.) The incident tremendously tarnished his picture.

MyTEAM features a collection of revolutionary improvements, including an all-new wage cap mode, whereas maintaining its signature aggressive really feel. Channel your inner-Mamba Mentality as you recreate Kobe’s most dominant and fascinating performances during his rise to global superstardom. Revisit his early career triumphs as a younger phenom, and progress by way of his transcendent journey from elite scorer to one of many greatest players of all time. Grab your squad and experience the previous, present, and future of hoops culture in NBA 2K24. Enjoy pure, authentic action and limitless personalised MyPLAYER options in MyCAREER.

By the time he returns to the team hotel throughout the road, lots of the players are hanging out on the lodge foyer bar. Kobe spent his 20-year career with the Lakers where he received 5 NBA championships. His other accomplishments include surpassing Michael Jordan for third place on the NBA all-time scoring record in December 2014 and successful an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for Dear Basketball in 2018. On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter were among a gaggle traveling to a girls basketball sport in a helicopter when it crashed, killing all 9 people aboard. Bryant rejoined the nationwide staff for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

But still filling the sports world, the world, with deep function. The August 2023 problem of Sports Illustrated features The Power List, the definitive index of the 50 most influential figures and forces who drive the sports activities world, on and off the sector and courtroom. For more on The Power List’s Icons and Leaders, like Kobe Bryant, click on here.

Bryant also had a career-high 46.9% taking pictures and once once more led his staff in assists. While making the All-NBA Defensive Team again, Bryant was additionally named to the All-NBA First Team for the primary time in his career. The Lakers won 58 video games that 12 months and finished second in the Pacific Division behind in-state rival Sacramento Kings. Bryant was suspended one sport after he punched Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers after the Lakers' March 1, 2002 victory over the Pacers. Bryant debuted in the Summer Pro League in Long Beach, California, scoring 25 factors in entrance of a standing-room-only crowd. Defenders struggled to get in entrance of him, and his performance excited West and Lakers coach Del Harris.

In two crucial wins in March, he scored a minimal of forty points and had no less than 10 assists in back-to-back video games, becoming the primary Laker to accomplish the feat since Jerry West in 1970. Later within the season, it was reported that Bryant would change his jersey quantity from 8 to 24 firstly of the 2006–07 NBA season. Bryant's first highschool number was 24 earlier than he switched to 33.

In the primary spherical of the playoffs, the Lakers played well enough to succeed in a 3–1 sequence lead over the Phoenix Suns, culminating with Bryant's overtime-forcing and game-winning shots in Game 4. They came inside six seconds of eliminating the second-seeded Suns in Game 6, nonetheless, they misplaced that game 126–118 in overtime. Despite Bryant's 27.9 points per sport in the series, the Lakers broke down and finally fell to the Suns in seven video games. After scoring 50 factors on 20 of 35 taking pictures within the Game 6 loss, Bryant was criticized for only taking three shots in the second half of the 121–90 Game 7 loss to Phoenix. Bryant acquired a quantity of awards for his excellent efficiency throughout his senior 12 months at Lower Merion. These included being named Naismith High School Player of the Year, Gatorade Men's National Basketball Player of the Year, a McDonald's All-American, a first-team Parade All-American and a USA Today All-USA First Team participant.