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Los Angeles Lakers
Aug 23, 2025 12:00 PM EDT
The late Kobe Bryant cemented his legacy during his 20-year NBA career as not only one of the greatest Los Angeles Lakers of all time, but as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Bryant spent his entire career in the Purple and Gold before tragically passing away at the age of 41, just a few years after his retirement, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash in January 2020 while traveling to an AAU basketball tournament.
Now, more than five years later, on Saturday, Aug. 23, Bryant would have celebrated his 47th birthday. To honor him, the Lakers shared a tribute message and graphic on social media, paying respect to his lasting impact on the franchise and the game.
“The heart of Los Angeles – Happy Birthday, Kobe,” Lakers posted.
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Kobe Bryant is considered by many to be the greatest Laker of all time—a lofty title given the number of legends who have worn the Purple and Gold—but his resume more than speaks for itself.
Bryant was a five-time NBA champion, winning three straight titles alongside Shaquille O’Neal from 2000–2002, before capturing back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010, earning Finals MVP honors in both of those seasons.
Over his 20-year career, he was named league MVP once, selected to 18 All-Star Games, and earned 15 All-NBA team honors. He also remains the fourth all-time leading scorer in NBA history, trailing only LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Karl Malone.
Kobe Bryant is pictured with his daughter Gianna at the WNBA All Star Game at Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports — Source: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The former Lower Merion High School star was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020. His acceptance speech was delivered by his wife, Vanessa Bryant, in an emotional tribute.
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Cole Sullivan