Kobe Bryant Previously Won an Oscar for the Film 'DEAR BASKETBALL' Before Passing Away

Kapanlagi.com - The world basketball legend, Kobe Bryant passed away in a helicopter accident on Sunday (1/26) local time in Calabassas, California. Not only Kobe, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, also died in the tragic incident.

Kobe Bryant dedicated his life for 20 years to build a career as a basketball player with the LA Lakers. According to Kompas, Kobe led the Lakers to win five NBA championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010.

Throughout his career, Kobe Bryant was selected to play in the All-Star Game 18 times. In 2008, Kobe was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the regular season. His various achievements made the player, who is synonymous with the number 24, considered one of the most successful players in the NBA.

1. Kobe Bryant Retires in 2016

Not only did Kobe Bryant bring titles to the LA Lakers, but he also achieved success while playing for the United States basketball team. He successfully won two gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.

Kobe Bryant finally decided to retire from basketball in 2016. To mark his decision, Kobe created a poem that was eventually turned into a short animated film titled DEAR BASKETBALL.

2. Wins Oscar Trophy

Kobe Bryant (credit: TPG Images)

As quoted from Viva, the film DEAR BASKETBALL that was released in 2017 successfully brought Kobe Bryant to win the 2018 Oscar Trophy in the Best Short Film category. The film, which was written and narrated by Kobe himself, was initially just a poem that commemorated his career journey as a basketball player.

Kobe collaborated with Glen Keane as the director and animator of the film DEAR BASKETBALL. This film made Kobe Bryant the first NBA player to win an Oscar trophy.

The 5 minutes and 22 seconds animated film defeated several other nominations in the same category at the Academy Awards at that time. Starting from Garden Party, Lou, Negative Space, and Revolving Rhymes.

(kpl/lou)