How Long Did Kobe Play in the NBA?

How long did Kobe play in the NBA? Kobe played in the NBA for 20 seasons, from 1996 to 2016.

Kobe’s NBA Career

Kobe Bryant was drafted into the NBA straight out of high school in 1996 and played for the Los Angeles Lakers his entire 20-year career. He is considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time. Let’s take a look at his career.

Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets

Kobe Bryant was drafted out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for center Vlade Divac. Kobe would go on to spend his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships.

Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers

In 1996, the Charlotte Hornets selected Kobe Bryant with the 13th overall pick in the NBA draft. A few months later, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that sent center Vlade Divac to the Hornets.

Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history when he made his debut at age 18 during the 1996-97 season. He averaged 7.6 points per game that year and was named to the All-Rookie Second Team.

The following season, Bryant averaged 15.4 points per game as he helped lead the Lakers to their first playoff appearance since 1991. In the 1999-2000 season, he was named an All-Star for the first time and helped the Lakers win their first NBA title since 1988.

Bryant would go on to play 20 seasons with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships while becoming one of the greatest players in league history. He retired after the 2015-16 season as the NBA’s third all-time leading scorer with 33,643 points.

20 seasons with the Lakers

Kobe Bryant played his entire professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships with the team. He spent his first 10 years in the league under head coach Phil Jackson, winning three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002. After Jackson’s retirement, Kobe continued to lead the Lakers to two more championships in 2009 and 2010 under head coach Mike Brown.

Kobe retired from the NBA in 2016 after 20 seasons with the Lakers, holding the franchise record for most points scored in a career. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history and was named to 18 All-Star teams and 12 All-Defensive teams during his career.

Kobe’s Retirement

Kobe Bryant, also known as the Black Mamba, played in the NBA for 20 years. He started his career with the Los Angeles Lakers and ended it with the Lakers as well. Kobe was a shooting guard and is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He was drafted into the NBA straight out of high school and became a starter in his second season. Kobe played a total of 1,346 games in his career and scored 33,643 points.

Announced his retirement in November 2015

Kobe Bryant announced his retirement from the NBA in November 2015, after playing 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. He played his entire career with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships.He is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Played his final game on April 13, 2016

Kobe Bryant played his final game on April 13, 2016, scoring 60 points in a 101-96 victory over the Utah Jazz. It was an incredible finale to an incredible career, and it cemented Kobe’s legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Kobe played 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five championships and making 18 All-Star teams. He was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, finishing his career with 33,643 points (third all-time) and averaging 25 points per game.

Kobe’s retirement ended an era in the NBA, and his impact on the league will be felt for years to come.

Kobe’s Legacy

Kobe Bean Bryant was an American professional basketball player. He spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

5-time NBA champion

Kobe Bean Bryant (/ˈkoʊbi/ KOH-bee; August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He entered the league directly from high school and won five NBA championships with the Lakers, winning the Finals MVP Award twice.

2-time NBA Finals MVP

Kobe Bean Bryant was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Bryant helped the Lakers win five NBA championships, and was an 18-time All-Star, a 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and a 12-time member of the All-Defensive team. He led the NBA in scoring during two seasons and ranks fourth on both the league’s all-time regular season scoring and all-time postseason scoring lists. He is also the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history.
Bryant was born in Philadelphia and played high school basketball for Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school basketball player in the country. He declared for the NBA draft upon graduation, and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick in 1996. The Hornets then traded him to the Lakers. As a rookie, Bryant earned himself a reputation as a high-flyer and a fan favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest, and he was named an All-Star by his second season. Despite a feud with former teammate Shaquille O’Neal, they dominated much of Eastern Conference during their eight seasons together, winning three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002…

18-time NBA All-Star

Kobe Bryant, who announced his retirement from the NBA on Sunday after 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, was an 18-time All-Star who won five championships and is widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation.

Bryant, 37, made the announcement in a letter to fans on The Players’ Tribune website, saying he was grateful to have had such a “wonderful career” but that his body “just can’t take the pounding” anymore.

“This season is all I have left to give,” he wrote. “My heart can take the pounding. My mind can handle the grind but my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.”

Bryant entered the league straight out of high school in 1996 and was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick. He was then traded to the Lakers, with whom he would spend his entire career.

Bryant quickly established himself as one of the league’s best players, making the All-Star team in each of his first 18 seasons. He won three consecutive NBA titles from 2000 to 2002 and two more in 2009 and 2010.

He was also named NBA Finals MVP on both occasions. In 2007, he was named league MVP for the first time.

In addition to his five championships, Bryant won two Olympic gold medals as a member of Team USA in 2008 and 2012.