ESPN announced over the weekend that Kobe Bryant has been posthumously elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Bryant is a five-time NBA champion, the fourth all-time leading scorer in league history that has also won the league MVP once, the finals MVP twice, and two Olympic gold medals.
He spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers wearing at first jersey No. 8 and the changing to the widely popular No. 24.
Bryant was a legend in the game and a fan favorite not only for his basketball skills, but also his charitable work and closeness with his family.
In a very sudden and unfortunate helicopter accident back in January, Bryant lost his life along with his teenage daughter Gianna.
Bryant’s wife Vaness spoke to ESPN after the announcement saying, “It’s (an) incredible accomplishment and honor. We’re extremely proud of him. Obviously, we wish he was here with us to celebrate.”
Bryant joins the Class of 2020 with Tim Duncan a five-time NBA champion and 15-time NBA All-Star with the San Antonio Spurs; Kevin Garnett, a 15-time NBA All-Star who won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008; and Tamika Catchings, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and 2012 WNBA champion with the Indiana Fever.
The Class of 2020 will be enshrined on August 29 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
