First-round draft pick Kobe Bryant poses with new LA Lakers jersey after making deal
Kobe Bryant, the 17 year-old NBA first -round draft pick, shows off his new Los Angeles Lakers jersey with Lakers general manager Jerry West (left), and coach Del Harris (right). Bryant, who was dealt to the Lakers in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets for former Laker Vlade Divac, is the sixth player in NBA history to atempt to bypass college for a NBA career. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Photo by Steve Grayson/UPI
Bulls' Luc Longley watches L.A. Lakers' Kobe Bryant slam-dunk for two points during first quarter of December 17 game at the United Center. Photo by Ray Foli/UPI
Golden State Warriors Terry Cummings (35) resorts to an old fashioned shove to try and slow down a high flying Kobe Bryant in the second half, April 20, 1999. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 106-102 in overtime. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
VAN2000032901 - 29 MARCH 2000 - VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA: Visiting Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant slams two points against the Vancouver Grizzlies during the first half at Vancouver's GM Place, March 29. Lakers over Grizzlies 84-75. hr/H Ruckemann UPI
SAP2000041905 - 19 APRIL 2000 -SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, USA: Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant (8) gets by San Antonio's David Robinson (50) during 2nd quarter action at the Alamodome. The Spurs rallied to defeat the Lakers 103-98 in overtime, April 19. jr/jm/Joe Mitchell UPI
SAP2001052104 - 21 MAY 2001 - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, USA: Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant (8) gets past San Antonio defenders Terry Porter (30) and Danny Ferry (35) in 2nd quarter action in the Western Conference finals May 21, 2001, in San Antonio Texas. The Lakers defeated the Spurs 88-81 at the Alamodome to take a 2-0 lead in the series. rlw/jm/Joe Mitchell UPI
President Bush receives a jersey from Kobe Bryant of the 2001 NBA Championship team, the Los Angeles Lakers, in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 28, 2002. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI
The Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal (34) and Kobe Bryant (8) watch from the bench during the 4th quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on March 21, 2002. The Spurs defeated the Lakers 108-90. Photo by Joe Mitchell/UPI
Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant leads NBA in merchandise sales in US
NYP2003041811 - NEW YORK, APRIL 18 (UPI)--The NBA released merchandise sale figures on April 18, 2003 that Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant #8 jersey is the number one seller through out the United States. Michael Jordan's jersey which use to be number one is now 4th on the list. jg/ep/Terry Schmitt UPI
KOBE BRYANT HOLDS DAUGHTER AT POST-GAME NEWS CONFERENCE
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant holds his daughter Natalia Diamante, during a post-Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference Finals best-of-seven series at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California Monday night, May 31, 2004. The Lakers defeated the Timberwolves 96-90 to win the series 4-2 and advanced to play the Eastern Conference finals winner in the NBA Finals on Sunday, June 6. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (#8) loses the ball on the block by Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal during first quarter action at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California December 25, 2004. The Heat defeated the Lakers 104-102 in overtime. (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, wearing a Philadelphia Eagles Donavan McNabb football jersey, reacts to a referee's call during fourth quarter action against the San Antonio Spurs, February 3, 2005, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Bryant, whose hometown is Philadelphia is sidelined with a severely sprained right ankle and is not expected to return until after the All-Star break at the earliest. ((UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen).
Kobe Bryant from the Los Angeles Lakers, shoots from the free throw line, against the Sacramento Kings, at Arco Arena, in Sacramento, California on January 19, 2006. The Kings beat the Lakers in Overtime 118-109. (UPI Photo/Ken James)
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives to the basket during the first quarter of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors in Los Angeles January 22, 2006. Bryant scored 81 points to set a personal single-game scoring high, and the performance is the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history. (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)
Los Angeles Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant drives to score 2 of his game high 50 points during second half action of their NBA basketball game with the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center in Los Angeles on April 14, 2006. Bryant broke the Lakers' single-season scoring record to eclipse Elgin Baylor's long-standing record. The Lakers defeated the Blazers 110-99. (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)
Jerry Buss, who owned the Los Angeles Lakers for more than 30 years at a time when the team won 10 NBA championships, has died in Los Angeles on Monday, February 18, 2013. He was 80. Buss is pictured in this file photo with Johnny Grant (holding plaque with Buss), Kobe Bryant, A.C. Green, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Earvin "Magic" Johnson (L-R), during a Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony honoring him with a star in 2006. UPI/Jim Ruymen/files
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (R) pleads his case to referee Ron Garretson (10) during first half action of Game 4 of the Los Angeles Lakers/Phoenix Suns Western Conference playoff series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on April 29, 2007. The Suns defeated the Lakers 113-100 to lead the best-of seven series 3-1. (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)
DISNEYLAND PREVIEWS FINDING NEMO SUBMARINE VOYAGE ATTRACTION IN ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa arrive with their daughters Gianna (L) and Natalia for the celebrity preview of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California on June 10, 2007. (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)
U.S.A. OLYMPIC BASKETBALL TEAM ROUTS ARGENTINA TO WIN F.I.B.A. GOLD IN LAS VEGAS
Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony confer during Team USA's 118-81 gold medal clinching victory over Argentina in the final basketball game of the FIBA Americas Championship at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 2, 2007. James led all scorers with 31 points. (UPI Photo/Daniel Gluskoter).
U.S.A. OLYMPIC BASKETBALL TEAM ROUTS ARGENTINA TO WIN F.I.B.A. GOLD IN LAS VEGAS
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers hands the championship trophy to Tayshuan Prince of the Detroit Pistons following Team USA's 118-81 gold medal clinching victory over Argentina in the final basketball game of the FIBA Americas Championship at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 2, 2007. Photo by Daniel Gluskoter/UPI
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (R) during third quarter action at Staples Center in Los Angeles on January 27, 2008. The Cavaliers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 98-95. (UPI Photo/ Jon SooHoo)
USA's Kobe Bryant jams the ball against Australia in the second quarter during Men's Basketball quarter finals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing on August 20, 2008. At right is Australia's Andrew Bogut. (UPI Photo/Roger L. Wollenberg)
Los Angeles Lakers' star Kobe Bryant holds the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with his daughters Gianna (R) and Natalia (L) in Los Angeles on May 6, 2008. Bryant, long regarded as one of the league's top players, won the award for the first time in his 12-year NBA career. (UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant dunks two of his 28 points during second half action against the New York Knicks at Staples Center in Los Angeles on December 16, 2008. The Lakers beat the Knicks 116-114. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI
Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles
Boston Celtics' Tony Allen (L) and the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (C) and Lamar Odom (R) look for the referee's call as they battle over a loose ball during the second half in Los Angeles on December 25, 2008. The Lakers beat the Celtics 92-83 ending the Celtics 19 game winning streak. (UPI Photo/ Phil McCarten)
Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James receives the pass as Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant defends during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on January 19, 2009. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Denver Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza (R) fouls Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in the second half during game six of the Western Conference Finals at the Pepsi Center in Denver on May 29. 2009. Los Angeles advances to the NBA Finals with a 119-92 rout of Denver to win the series 4-2. (UPI Photo/Gary C. Caskey)
Lakers celebrate 15th NBA Championship with parade in Los Angeles
Kobe Bryant holds the championship trophy as the 2009 NBA Champion Lakers celebrate their 15th NBA Championship with a parade in Los Angeles on June 17, 2009. Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (2nd-L) is joined by teammates Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton and Jordan Farmar (L-R) while accepting the best team award during the taping of the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on July 15, 2009. The awards show will be telecast on ESPN July 19.(UPI Photo/Jim Ruymen)
U.S. President Barack Obama smiles after guard Kobe Bryant gave him a team jersey as Obama hosts the 2009 National Basketball Association Champion Los Angeles Lakers in the East Room of the White House in Washington on January 25, 2010. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI
Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer, left, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, battle for the ball during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference semi-final series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on May 4, 2010. The Lakers won 111-103 . UPI Photo/Lori Shepler
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant dunks against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at the United Center in Chicago on December 10, 2010. UPI/Brian Kersey
Obama and the LA Lakers visit the Boys And Girls Club in Washington
U.S. President Barack Obama (C) pretends to shave a boy while filling care packages with Kobe Bryant (R) of the Los Angeles Lakers during a NBA Cares service event at the Boys and Girls Club at THEARC December 13, 2010 in Washington, DC. Bryant and all the members of the 2010 NBA Championship Lakers team volunteered on projects at the club before being honored by the president for their victory. UPI/Chip Somodevilla/Pool
Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Hornets Game 1 NBA Western Conference Playoffs in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) holds on to New Orleans Hornets power forward Carl Landry (24) after he grabbed a rebound during the second half of Game 1 of their Western Conference Playoff series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on April 17, 2011. The Hornets defeated the Lakers 109 to 100 . UPI Photo/Lori Shepler
Los Angeles Lakers vs New Orleans Hornets Game 2 NBA Western Conference Playoffs in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) goes up for a basket over New Orleans Hornets center Aaron Gray (34) and Trevor Ariza (1) during the first half of Game 2 of their Western Conference Playoff series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on April 20, 2011. The Lakers defeated the Hornets 87 to 78 . UPI Photo/Lori Shepler
Kobe Bryant places his hands & footprints in cement during ceremony at Grauman's in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant places his hands in wet cement during a hand & footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on February 19, 2011. Bryant became the first athlete to be immortalized at Grauman's. His hands and footprints will sit alongside Hollywood greats including John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe and super Laker fan, Jack Nicholson. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Kobe Bryant wears protective mask in Los Angeles after breaking his nose in All-Star game
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant wears a protective mask prior to the Lakers' NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Los Angeles on February 29, 2012. Bryant broke his nose during the All-Star game. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee (34) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) battle for the ball during the first half of game 5 of the Western Conference Playoffs at Staples Center in Los Angeles on May 8, 2012. Nuggets won 102-99. UPI/Lori Shepler
Jerry Buss remembered during memorial service in Los Angeles
Kobe Bryant speaks during a memorial service for Los Angeles Lakers owner in Los Angeles on February 21, 2013. Dr. Buss died at the age of 80 on Monday following an 18-month battle with cancer. Buss won 10 NBA championships as Lakers owner since purchasing the team in 1979. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant holds up balloons given to him in honor of becoming the third all time NBA scoring leader prior to game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center in Los Angeles, November 19, 2014. The Thunder defeated the Lakers 104-103. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI
Los Angeles Lakers' shooting guard Kobe Bryant wears a "I can't Breathe" t-shirt to honor Eric Garner as he sits on the bench during the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center in Los Angeles on December 9, 2014. Garner died in a conflict with police who allegedly choked him, causing his death. A New York grand jury did not indict the police officer. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant is introduced before his last game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center in Los Angeles on April 13, 2016. Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI
Bryant Stibel Co-Founders and General Partners Kobe Bryant and Jeff Stibelt ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street in New York City on August 22, 2016. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Lakers retire Kobe Bryant's 8 & 24 jerseys during half time ceremony in Los Angeles
Former Laker Kobe Bryant poses with his family during his jersey retirement ceremony at Staples Center in Los Angeles, December 18, 2017. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI
Kobe Bryant wife and daughters attend the premiere of "A Wrinkle in Time" in Los Angeles
Former NBA player Kobe Bryant, his wife Vanessa (L) and their daughters Natalia and Gianna (R) attend the premiere of the sci-fi motion picture fantasy ""A Wrinkle in Time" at the El Capitan Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on February 26, 2018. Storyline: After the disappearance of her scientist father, three peculiar beings send Meg, her brother, and her friend to space in order to find him. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Kobe Bryant and Glen Keane win Oscars for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood.
Kobe Bryant (L) and Glen Keane, winners of the Best Animated Short Film award for "Dear Basketball,",appears backstage with his Oscar during the 90th annual Academy Awards at Loews Hollywood Hotel in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on March 4, 2018. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
