Kobe Bryant makes an impact off the court (2024)

“I don’t want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant,” said NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant.

Bryant earned a name for himself by displaying his incredible work ethic and leadership skills, and is considered one of the best basketball players of all time. While playing, he was a four-time MVP, 18 time All-Star and won five NBA championships.

When people think of Kobe, the first things that usually come to mind are his legacy and the things that he achieved while playing basketball. However, many people are unaware of his contributions outside of the sport.

His book, “Kobe Bryant: The Mamba Mentality,” was written to share his knowledge of the sport and inspire new generations.

He also formed a film company called Granity Studios, which tells sports stories from many different perspectives. Bryant’s own short film, “Dear Basketball,” which was a tribute to basketball he made during his retirement, was made through Granity Studios and won an Academy award for best animated short film.

Kobe also founded the Mamba Sports Academy, along with the Mamba and Mambacita foundation, where he coached his daughter and other young women in hopes to bring more attention to women’s basketball.

“I love that he cared about women’s basketball,” said junior and varsity basketball player Madeleine Fisher, “he’s one of the best players so it means a lot.”

Bryant made many charitable donations, including in support of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Kobe continued to be an all-star, even off the court, until his tragic death on January 26, 2020.

“Basketball is something that will come and eventually go,” said Bryant, “the beauty in that is using that time to try to inspire others.”

About the Contributor

Kobe Bryant makes an impact off the court (2)

Erin Broderick, Staff Writer

Erin Broderick is a sophom*ore and a first-year journalist for The Current. She plays basketball for Ocean Lakes, enjoys watching sports and spending time with her friends. In the future, she hopes to continue journalism.

Kobe Bryant makes an impact off the court (2024)

FAQs

What has Kobe Bryant done for society? ›

Bryant has served as the honorary chair of United Way of Greater Los Angeles's annual HomeWalk for three consecutive years. Bryant volunteers his time to Make-A-Wish Foundation, NBA Cares and The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and serves as an ambassador for After-School All-Stars.

Why is Kobe Bryant important to American history? ›

Best Known For: Former pro basketball player Kobe Bryant won five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers while establishing himself as one of the game's all-time greats. He died tragically in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020.

What is Kobe Bryant's legacy? ›

Bryant's legacy lives on with the Los Angeles Lakers, with the NBA and WNBA (both leagues have awards in honor of him), with Nike and with the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation.

Who was Kobe Bryant influenced by? ›

The NFL Hall of Famer connected the dots between Bryant being someone who idolized Michael Jordan, then emulated him and had the gall to believe he could surpass the legend almost universally recognized as the greatest NBA player ever.

How did Kobe make an impact on society? ›

“As one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Kobe's spotlight was brighter than almost anyone's, and he used it to help millions of kids. For 12 years he was an ambassador for After-School All-Stars, and he used his time and his resources to inspire our 90,000 kids and help build opportunities for them.

What did Kobe Bryant focus on? ›

Another key aspect of Kobe's career as a player and after he retired was harnessing the power of meditation to focus his mind. Like exercising the body, Kobe found that exercising his mind made it a lot easier to center his attention when needed, which turned him into a better player and teammate.

What has Kobe done off the court? ›

Kobe also founded the Mamba Sports Academy, along with the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation, where he coached his daughter and other young women in hopes of bringing more attention to women's basketball.

Why was Kobe Bryant remembered? ›

Kobe Bryant was a husband and father of four daughters, just like me. Unlike me, he was one of the greatest basketball players to ever live. He played his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers and won 5 championships. He ranks 4th on the list of most points scored in the NBA.

Why is Kobe Bryant a role model? ›

Kobe Bryant always wanted to get better. He wanted to be the best he could in every aspect of his life that he could be. After his playing days he would take college courses on various different subjects. You see, Bryant saw the value in a college education; it was a part of his life he could improve.

What was Kobe well known for? ›

Bryant became one of the NBA's most popular players and the face of the Lakers during his career. Winning a record four NBA All-Star Game MVP awards, he was the overall league MVP in 2008, a two-time NBA scoring champion and 12 All-Defensive selections.

What is the main idea of Kobe Bryant? ›

The Mamba Mentality encompasses a mindset that doesn't focus solely on achieving a goal. Instead, it looks at the whole process of getting there – the journey – to the extent that it becomes, as Kobe himself said, “a way of life.”

What did Kobe say about love? ›

So, I think love is a sort of determination, a persistence to go through the good times and the bad times with someone or something you truly love. The message was that if you want to win championships, you have to let people focus on what they do best while you focus on what you do best.

Why was Kobe Bryant a hero? ›

Because of Bryant,NBA players are getting their achievement. Kobe Bryant impacted NBA through the achievements and speeches. His work in the NBA completed lots of rewards. Kobe Bryant was an important person in history because of his Achievements,Career,Challenges/Overcoming Obstacles.

What did Kobe Bryant believed in? ›

Kobe Bryant was a practicing Catholic who emphasized the importance of faith in a myriad of ways. This article shows how religion had a transformative impact on his life, including the influence of Catholic social teachings on Bryant's outlook and motivation during and after his playing days.

What were Kobe Bryant's values? ›

Life is Fleeting, Live Like a Legend If we were to summarize Kobe Bryant's life philosophy, it would be: Be resilient, always take the shot, remember the magic of teamwork, build a legacy for yourself and others, and above all, savor every moment of this incredible journey called life.

How did Kobe Bryant's death affect the world? ›

Since his life was cut tragically short on this date at age 41 in a helicopter crash that also claimed the life of Gianna and seven others, Bryant's impact has subsequently grown beyond any measure of imagination. Athletes still reference him. Fans still chant for him. An entire generation still learns from him.

What was Kobe's purpose? ›

“I only saw myself/Running out of one.” Basketball was Kobe's dream, the thing that flowed through his veins and gave him his identity and purpose. He never doubted that it would be his future. And he famously worked hard, on and off the court, for decades, to make his dream a reality.

What activities did Kobe do? ›

During retirement, Bryant's activities were diverse. Bryant had an active investment career, a budding career in entertainment, a foundation, a sports academy, he coached youth basketball, and served as leader and mentor to professional athletes across the globe, regardless of sport or gender.

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