Kobe Bean Bryant left a legacy not only for the basketball industry, but the world. A legacy of excellence and evolution that encourages us to be our very best selves—whether within our respective professions, through a hobby or among our family and friends.
On January 26, 2020, we lost a legend. Kobe was an inspiration to his fans and his family; he not only motivated others to live up to their full potential, but he led by example.
Kobe, the ball player
Kobe Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years and won five NBA championships. He led the NBA in scoring during two seasons, ranks fourth on the league’s all-time regular season scoring, and ranks fourth on the all-time postseason scoring list. Kobe’s last tweet was a congratulations to Lebron James for passing him in the all-time scoring list. He tweeted,
“Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother.”
After passing Kobe on the scoring list, Lebron reminisced of a time when Kobe spoke at his basketball camp and said, “If you want to be great at it, or want to be one of the greats, you’ve got to put the work in.”
Kobe was known for giving credit where credit was due. Competition has been known to get the best of people, but Kobe was respected for his work ethic and his ability to positively promote healthy competition.
Kobe, an advocate
Kobe also made a commitment to boosting women’s sports, and coaching and mentoring basketball players around the world. This was also evident in his support of Sabrina Ionesco of the University of Oregon, among others. Kobe dedicated one of his ESPN+ episodes to analyzing her game, and in his passing Sabrina dedicated her last game against Oregon State to him. University of Oregon was victorious, 66-57.
Kobe Bryant was also an advocate for the athletes in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBA). Kobe spoke the true words of equality when he told CNN he “could see a day where women could play in the same league that he spent 20 years in.”
Kobe, the “girl dad”
Perhaps most paramount to his legacy was his love and adoration for family, more specifically his daughters. Earlier this week, Elle Duncan of ESPN SportsCenter shared a heartfelt story where Kobe shared his love for being a “girl dad.”
Kobe Bryant left more than a legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Kobe Bryant left us with a challenge to do more than just strive towards our own success and find joy in what we love, but to take it further, and support others in finding that for themselves. In his words, “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”
Kobe Bryant left us with a challenge to do more than just strive towards our own success and find joy in what we love, but to take it further, and support others in finding that for themselves. Click To Tweet
