Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, played for the LA Lakers throughout his career and is considered one of the greatest players in the game's history. He named himself "Black Mamba" -- an alter ego to help cope with the backlash that followed a 2003 sexual assault accusation. Kobe Bryant, American professional basketball player who helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) to five championships (2000–02 and 2009–10). Getty 43/50 Kobe Bryant (1978-2020) Learn more about Bryant’s life and career, including his awards and various statistics. ARA Zobayan was piloting the helicopter which crashed and killed former NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others near Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant retires after 20 years with the LA Lakers - the only player in NBA history to spend that long with the same franchise. Here we …