Kobe Bryant is not only remembered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but he also made astounding accomplishments in the world of cinema, making Oscars history three times. The late great Kobe Bryant established a reputation throughout his career, both on and off the court, as one of the hardest workers in professional sports. The term “Mamba Mentality,” coined by Bryant, is a term often used to describe the mindset of pushing one’s self to be their absolute best, no matter what. At his core, Kobe Bryant was a man who loved basketball.

In 2015, Kobe Bryant announced his retirement from professional basketball with an article in The Players’ Tribune тιтled “Dear Basketball,” where he expressed his profound love for his sport, beginning from when he was a child. In 2017, Bryant adapted this article into a short film, which he wrote and narrated. The film was a critical achievement, with stunning animation and a heartfelt musical score from another legend: John Williams. In 2018, Kobe Bryant collected his Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.

Kobe Bryant Secured Three Oscars Milestones With His Dear Basketball Short Film

Kobe Made History In Basketball & Cinema

After retiring from basketball, where he set milestones his entire career, achieving five NBA тιтles with the Los Angeles Lakers and scoring over 33,000 career points (#4 all-time), Kobe began setting records at the Academy Awards. His win for Best Animated Short Film accomplished three feats that had never been achieved before. Most notably, Kobe Bryant was the first African American to win in the category, despite the award existing since 1932.

Aside from that, Kobe Bryant was the first professional athlete to win an Oscar and the first person to have both an Oscar and an Olympic Gold Medal. Considering the reputation athletes have for roles in movies, be it Shaq in awful movies like Kazaam and Steel or Wilt Chamberlain in Conan the Destroyer, it’s a marvel to think that an athlete would earn an Oscar. Granted, Kobe didn’t win his Oscar for acting, but it still shows genuine creativity and accomplishment that distinguishes him from the vast majority of his profession.

Kobe Bryant Is Still The Only Professional Athlete To Win An Oscar

Shaq & Steph Curry Weren’t Credited For Their Film’s Win

Kobe Bryant is still the only professional athlete to have an Oscar, and that’s not for a lack of trying. Shaquille O’Neal and Stephen Curry went in on a basketball-related documentary, co-producing the film The Queen of Basketball. Their work actually managed to win Best Documentary Short Subject, but they weren’t technically credited with the award like Kobe was. This is likely due to the level of their involvement in the film, as the director, Ben Proudfoot, was considered the recipient of the award instead.