On Sunday afternoon, 5-time NBA Champion and 17-time All-Star Kobe Bryant, who broke into the NBA at the tender age of 18, announced that he will retire at the conclusion of this season! Kobe is an international icon known worldwide! He actually grew up in Italy, as his dad (Joe Bryant) played professionally overseas from 1984 to 1992! He will retire being the only player in NBA history to play 20 years for the same franchise, the LA Lakers, and third all-time in scoring!

• 5-time NBA Champion (2000-02, 2009-10)
• 17-time All-Star (2nd to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 18-time All-Star)
• 4-time NBA All-Star Game MVP
• 1 of 5 players in NBA history to win 5 NBA Championships & 2 Finals MVPs
• 1 of 4 players in NBA history with 20,000 points, 6,000 rebounds, and 6,000 assists
• 1 of 5 players in NBA history to play 20 seasons
• Only player in NBA history to play 20 seasons for the same franchise, LA Lakers