Kobe Bryant's unforgettable career, in 10 photos

Bryant's rise from rookie to future Hall-of-Famer

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Kobe Bryant.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan talk during a game in Chicago in 1997, Bryant's rookie season.
(Image credit: (VINCENT LAFORET/AFP/Getty Images))

Bryant dunks against the Boston Celtics in his first NBA Finals appearance in Los Angeles in 2008.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Jeff Haynes))

Bryant during a 2010 parade in Los Angeles following his second consecutive NBA championship.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson))

Bryant shooting during a game against the Chicago Bulls in Los Angeles in 2011.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill))

Bryant during the Western Conference quarterfinals in Los Angeles against the Denver Nuggets.
(Image credit: (Harry How/Getty Images))

Bryant dunks during the 2012 Western Conference semifinals in Oklahoma City.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki))

Bryant dunks against Nigeria during the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
(Image credit: (Christian Petersen/Getty Images))

Bryant looks at the scoreboard during a 2013 game in Houston.
(Image credit: (Scott Halleran/Getty Images))

Bryant shoots between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder during a 2015 game in Los Angeles.
(Image credit: (Harry How/Getty Images))

Bryant addresses the crowd after scoring 60 points in his final NBA game in Los Angeles.
(Image credit: (Harry How/Getty Images)**See last week's best photojournalism**)

Jacob Lambert
Jacob Lambert

Jacob Lambert is the art director of TheWeek.com. He was previously an editor at MAD magazine, and has written and illustrated for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Weekly, and The Millions.