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Kobe Bryant ended his 20-year career in the NBA on April 13. Here, the Los Angeles Lakers player looks back while taking on the Utah Jazz during his final game.
Bryant plays against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 28, 2015. In November, Bryant announced his intention to retire at the end of the current NBA season.
Bryant broke a bone in his left knee in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on December 17, 2013. He finished the game, but team doctors determined that he fractured the lateral tibial plateau of his left knee. The injury benched him for the rest of the season.
Bryant is injured in the second half while playing the Golden State Warriors on April 12, 2013. The injury took him out of the rest of the 2012-2013 season.
Bryant vies with Argentinian forward Leonardo Gutierrez during the USA men’s basketball preliminary round match at the London Olympic Games on August 6, 2012.
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama hugs Bryant after the United States played France at the Olympics on July 29, 2012.
Bryant reverse dunks over Grant Hill, No. 33, and Marcin Gortat, No. 4, of the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on January 10, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 99-83.
Bryant dunks in the third quarter against the New Orleans Hornets in game five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2011, at Staples Center.
Bryant joins a teaching session for fans during a promotional tour of South Korea at Korea University on July 14, 2011, in Seoul.
U.S. President Barack Obama chats with Bryant at a Boys and Girls Club in Washington on December 13, 2010. Obama welcomed the Lakers to honor their 2009-2010 season and their second consecutive NBA championship.
Bryant celebrates after winning the 2010 NBA Finals championship in June 2010.
Bryant shoots a jumper over Carmelo Anthony, No. 15 of the Denver Nuggets, in the fourth quarter of game one of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 19, 2009. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 105-103.
Bryant celebrates after game five of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009, in Orlando. The Lakers won 99-86 for their 15th title and first since 2002. Bryant had 30 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists as the Lakers completed a four-games-to-one victory in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.
Bryant holds his daughter, Gianna, after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals on June 14, 2009.
Bryant accepts the best team award on behalf of the Los Angeles Lakers from musician Stevie Wonder during the 2009 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009, in Los Angeles.
Bryant rides the Matterhorn Bobsleds with Jonathan Guerrero, 4, and his father, David Guerrero of Pomona, California, at Disneyland on June 18, 2009, in Anaheim, California. The Guerreros were among thousands of Lakers fans who turned out for a special Disneyland parade honoring the Lakers’ 15th World Championship.
Bryant, top, and New Jersey Nets guard Kerry Kittles fight for a rebound in the first quarter on April 3, 2002, at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Bryant appears on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” at NBC Studios on June 28, 2001, in Burbank, California.
Vlade Divac, No. 21 of the Sacramento Kings, jumps for the ball against Bryant during game four of the Western Conference Semifinals at Arco Arena on May 13, 2001, in Sacramento, California.
Bryant goes in for a slam dunk against the New Jersey Nets in January 2001.
Bryant hugs his fiance, Vanessa Laine, while in the locker room after the Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers in game six of the 2000 NBA Finals to win the series 4-2 on June 19, 2000, in Los Angeles. Bryant later married Laine, and they have two children.
Bryant, center, is restrained by teammate Ron Harper, left, and assistant coach Jim Cleamons after a confrontation with New York Knicks guard Chris Childs on April 2, 2000, at Staples Center. Both players were ejected and the Lakers went on to defeat the Knicks 106-82.
Lakers player Shaquille O’Neal, right, hugs teammate Bryant on June 14, 2000, after the Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers in game four of the NBA Finals at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Lakers won the game 120-118 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven game series.
Bryant sits on the sidelines during the Euro ABC camp in Berlin on July 7, 1999.
Bryant eyes the basket during the NBA Slam Dunk contest on February 8, 1997, at Gund Arena in Cleveland. Bryant is the youngest player to win the contest.