Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, obtained the Eucharist together simply hours earlier than they died. Before the 1996 NBA draft, Bryant had labored out in Los Angeles, where he scrimmaged in opposition to former Lakers players Larry Drew and Michael Cooper and, according to then-Laker general supervisor Jerry West, "marched over these people". Kobe Bryant had indicated that transitioning from a basketball player into a business mogul was a long-term goal that was important to him, especially given his goal-orientated mindset. Bryant made $323,312,307 from the Los Angeles Lakers throughout his enjoying career, the sixth-highest earnings in NBA historical past behind LeBron James, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Garnett.

His brother, Jace, took his own life in April 2020, and Prescott spoke publicly about how challenging that experience had been on his own psychological health, significantly while within the midst of the isolating COVID-19 pandemic. Taylor, the sports psychologist, said taking over alter egos provides individuals a mental shortcut to tap into different elements of themselves. “The extra you can take psychological issues and turn them into tangible issues or beings, it’s more manageable,” Taylor mentioned. “A character means you don’t have to think about all this deep psychological stuff. You simply say, ‘There’s that character.’” Decision-making becomes simpler; simply channel the way you suppose that person would react—exactly what Ryan implored Prescott to do. Grover stated many youthful players battle with this complete dedication to their craft, particularly NBA players who're youthful millennials or a half of Gen Z.

Even at an early stage of his profession, sportswriters were comparing his abilities to these of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. The playoff results, however, had been no higher, as the Lakers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs within the Western Conference Semifinals. Fitting in is a challenge that I’ve by no means been able to master. I was a tall, skinny 13-year-old kid who spoke Italian higher than English. I knew very little of American culture and different people knew me solely as “the son of a former NBA player.” During this time, the sport of basketball turned greater than only a refuge, it grew to become my outlet.

I run out the restaurant quick as a result of it’s so loud in the 112. ’ And so I’m sitting there, and I’m giving Kobe Bryant a few of my ideas of what I do. I was like, ‘Man, Kobe simply reached out to me for recommendation.

In 2013, Bryant launched a manufacturing company known as Granity Studios, which developed totally different media, ranging from movies to television exhibits and novels. Bryant was the topic of Spike Lee's 2009 documentary film Kobe Doin' Work, which chronicled Bryant through the 2007–08 NBA season. In 2009, American rapper Lil Wayne launched a song referred to as "Kobe Bryant". Similarly, in 2010, American rapper Sho Baraka launched a song referred to as "Kobe Bryant On'em", which was featured on his album Lions and Liars. In 2012, American rapper Chief Keef launched a song paying tribute to Bryant referred to as "Kobe".

In two crucial wins in March, he scored at least 40 factors and had a minimal of 10 assists in back-to-back games, becoming the first Laker to perform the feat since Jerry West in 1970. Later in the season, it was reported that Bryant would change his jersey number from 8 to 24 firstly of the 2006–07 NBA season. Bryant's first highschool quantity was 24 before he switched to 33.

He was additionally the primary guard in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons. His 18 All-Star designations are the second most all time, while it is the document for most consecutive appearances as a starter. Bryant's four All-Star Game MVP Awards are tied with Bob Pettit for probably the most in NBA historical past. He gave himself the nickname "Black Mamba" within the mid-2000s, and the epithet turned widely adopted by most people. At the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, he gained two gold medals as a member of the us nationwide group. In 2018, he won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for his 2017 movie Dear Basketball.

He idolized Elgin Baylor — “the footwork king” — and admired the method in which West might fire a fast leap shot or smoothly minimize to the basket. His best admiration was reserved for Johnson, who had a sixth sense on the court docket, anticipating performs as they developed, delivering the ball exactly the place it wanted to be. Lakers star Kobe Bryant stands subsequent to educate Phil Jackson during a playoff game towards the Phoenix Suns in April 2006. Los Angeles Lakers Karl Malone, left, Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton and Shaquille O’Neal before their preseason opener with the Los Angeles Clippers. It was Bryant’s first game since sexual assault charges were filed against him in Colorado.