Kobe Bryant's unforgettable career, in 10 photos
Bryant's rise from rookie to future Hall-of-Famer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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