TWENTY-FOUR years ago, a skinny teen was drafted 13th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft. He jumped into the NBA straight out of high school, selected by the Charlotte Hornets, but traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on the draft day itself. It was the peak of all-time great Michael Jordan winning his second set of three-peat titles with the Bulls, but it was also the arrival of another all-time great.

This teen showed his brilliance on the court winning the 1997 All-Star Dunk contest and becoming an All-Star in his second year as a pro. He would go on and win several individual accolades, including:

2x Scoring Champion (2006, 2007)

3x NBA All-Defensive second team (2001, 2002, 2012)

9x NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003, 2004, 2006-2011)

11x All-NBA First Team (2002-2004, 2006-2013)

4x NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011)

18x NBA All-star (1998, 2000-2016)

2x NBA Finals MVP (2009, 2010)

NBA MVP (2008)

5x NBA Champion (2000-2002, 2009, 2010)

He has helped elevate the game into new heights taking over where Michael Jordan left off in 1998 — scoring 81 points on January 22, 2006, against the Toronto Raptors. He logged the second-most points in NBA history after Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points from 1962. Twenty years into this teen’s career, from a cocky teen phenom to an icon of the game, he has blossomed. On his final game, he set his last record by scoring 60 points making him the oldest player to score 60 points in a game.

In the span of his pro-career and beyond, he has inspired millions around the world. To reach new heights in their works by encouraging them with his work ethic, including myself.

Perseverance, hardwork, relentless passion, love for his craft. Just some of his personal qualities that I admire and emulate. He also translated these qualities into his other endeavors, winning for himself and Oscar award Best Animated Short Film in 2018 Dear Basketball.

“This has been, this has been absolutely beautiful. I can’t believe it comes to an end...Thank you from the bottom of my heart. What can I say? Mamba out,”-words from his farewell game, which still echoes up to this day for fans all over.

To a legend I admire, thank you for the inspiration.

“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do”-Kobe Bean Bryant. (August 23, 1978-January 26, 2020)