- August 23, 1978: Kobe Bean Bryant is born in Philadelphia, the son of former 76ers forward Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant.
- July 1996: Picked 13th in the NBA Draft by Charlotte Hornets, straight out of Lower Merion High School. The 17-year-old is then traded to LA Lakers for Vlade Divac.
- June 2000: Wins first NBA title as the Lakers beat Indiana in the Finals with Phil Jackson as coach and Shaquille O’Neal at centre.
- December 2000: Scores 51 points against Golden State, Bryant’s first 50-plus game. Averages 28.5 points a game for the season, second on the team to O’Neal (28.7). Lakers repeat as NBA champions, beating 76ers in five games.
- January 2006: Scores 81 points against Toronto, second-highest in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game. Leads league in scoring (35.4) as Jackson returns to coach the team. Lakers lose to Phoenix in first round of playoffs.
- June 2009: Wins fourth NBA title and is named Finals MVP as Lakers beat Orlando in five games.
- June 2010: Collects fifth NBA championship ring as Lakers beat the Boston Celtics in seven games. Named Finals MVP.
- April 2013: Tears left Achilles tendon in game against Golden State. Successful surgery leaves him unable to play for six to nine months.
Kobe Bryant career timeline
La Lakers legend's career to date