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Kobe Bryant Remembered: Pictures of the Late NBA Legend

By:
August 23, 2025 9:20AM EDT
Kobe Bryant Remembered: Pictures of the Late NBA Legend
Getty Images

Kobe Bryant was one of the most famous and gifted basketball players in history. See his life in photos here.

Kobe Bryant, one of the most celebrated athletes in the history of basketball, died on January 26, 2020, alongside his daughter Gianna Bryant when his helicopter went down in California. The loss of such an iconic NBA all-star was sudden, tragic, and much too early for someone that, at 41, had much more to give his fans and family.

Looking back at his life, it’s clear that Kobe not only had a gift for the sport, but that he also loved life.

Through this gallery, we’ll look at his life in photos, with his family, his famous friends, and doing what he loved to do best — play basketball. Celebrate the life of an amazing man and player along with us.

1 of 18

Kobe Bryant at the beginning of his career

Kobe Bryant at the beginning of his career
Rusty Kennedy/AP/Shutterstock

This early photo was taken of the 6-foot 6 suburban Philadelphia phenom  dunks the ball at his Lower Merion, Pa. high school gym during a practice, He would go on to play professional ball for the NBA, playing his entire 20 year career with the LA Lakers.

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
2 of 18

Kobe Bryant in his early years

Kobe Bryant in his early years
Michael Caulfield/AP/Shutterstoc

Pictured here, Kobe was just newly-acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers and already, he walked downcourt during a summer league game against the Detroit Pistons with a smile on his face, sure of his victory. He was ready.

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
3 of 18

Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa Laine

Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa Laine
Wintersteller/BEI/Shutterstock

Vanessa Laine Bryant, pictured here with Kobe at the opening of Jennifer Lopez’s restaurant Madrees in California in 1992, was truly the love of Kobe’s life. This was from the early days of their courtship. 

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
4 of 18

Kobe on the court

Kobe on the court
Kim D Johnson/AP/Shutterstock

Kobe Bryant took pride in the game and was always animated when he scored big. Here, he reacts to a three-point shot during the fourth quarter of Game 6 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on his homecourt in LA. 

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
5 of 18

Kobe Bryant on a date night with Vanessa

Kobe Bryant on a date night with Vanessa
Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock

Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa enjoyed an elegant date night out at the World Music Awards in 2004. They took Las Vegas by storm, even dressing alike for the occasion. 

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
6 of 18

Kobe Bryant smiling with his wife Vanessa and daughter Natalia

Kobe Bryant smiling with his wife Vanessa and daughter Natalia
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Family day out! Vanessa Bryant and Kobe Bryant took their daughter Natalia Diamante Bryant to the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’ film world premiere at Disneyland in 2007. They were all smiles at the event.

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
7 of 18

Kobe Bryant’s big smile

Kobe Bryant’s big smile
Jack Dempsey/AP/Shutterstock

Kobe Bryant celebrates a three pointer against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of Game 4 of the teams’ Western conference semifinals basketball game in Denver, CO. The Lakers beat the Nuggets 107-101 to sweep the series.

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
8 of 18

Kobe Bryant at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Kobe Bryant at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Kerim Okten/EPA/Shutterstock

Going International! Kobe Bryant showed off his skills to a global audience, competiing at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium in Beijing, China in August 2008. 

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
9 of 18

Kobe Bryant at the London Olympics in 2012

Kobe Bryant at the London Olympics in 2012
Eric Gay/AP/Shutterstock

United States’ Kobe Bryant drives during a men’s gold medal basketball game against Spain at the 2012 Summer Olympics, in London. He showed off his skills at the game. 

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
10 of 18

Kobe Bryant wins gold

Kobe Bryant wins gold
Charles Krupa/AP/Shutterstock

United States’ Kobe Bryant kisses his gold medal after the men’s gold medal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, in London. It was an amazing moment for the athlete.

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
11 of 18

Vanessa Bryant and Kobe Bryant posing together

Vanessa Bryant and Kobe Bryant posing together
Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock

Vanessa Bryant and Kobe Bryant are always in style, but they really brought their A-game on the red carpet, especially at the Warner Bros. /InStyle Golden Globes Party held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 13, 2013. They wore matching black ensembles to the event.

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
12 of 18

Kobe Bryant happy with his wife Vanessa

Kobe Bryant happy with his wife Vanessa
Stewart Cook/Shutterstock

Kobe Bryant broke a bone in his left knee in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on December 17, but it didn’t stop him from joining his wife Vanessa Bryant at ‘An Unforgettable Evening benefiting EIF’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund’. He gave back, even when he was struggling himself. 

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
13 of 18

Kobe Bryant in action on the basketball court

Kobe Bryant in action on the basketball court
Mark J Terrill/AP/Shutterstock

Kobe Bryant drives toward the basket during the first half of a preseason basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, in Los Angeles. A man of action!

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
14 of 18

Kobe Bryant looking grateful

Kobe Bryant looking grateful
Matt Rourke/AP/Shutterstock

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant ahead of a basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, in Philadelphia. He showed off a smile during a memorable moment. 

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
15 of 18

Kobe with his family

Kobe with his family
Brian To/Variety/Shutterstock

Kobe Bryant took wife Vanessa Laine Bryant and their daughters, Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant and Natalia Diamante Bryant, to the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards in July 2016. They were all smiles on the orange carpet. 

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
16 of 18

Kobe Bryant talking the talk

Kobe Bryant talking the talk
Yoan Valat/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Kobe Bryant speaks during the ‘Mamba Talk’ event organized at Jean Jaures sports hall in Paris, France in October 2017. After its refurbishment, Jean Jaures sports hall will be a dedicated place for Basketball in Paris.

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
17 of 18

Kobe & his family at the ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ premiere

Kobe & his family at the ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ premiere
Broadimage/Shutterstock

Kobe Bryant & Vanessa Laine Bryant love showing off their kids, especially on the red carpet. Their young ones, Natalia Diamante Bryant and Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, joined them at the ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ film premiere in Feb 2018.

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM
18 of 18

Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Laine Bryant at the Academy Awards

Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Laine Bryant at the Academy Awards
Mike Nelson/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Kobe Bryant won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, in March 2018. Thankfully, his wife Vanessa was at his side to enjoy the evening. 

January 26, 2020, 2:48PM