Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant won an Oscar Award for best animated short film for his “Dear Basketball” visual work. The short was based off the poem Bryant wrote to formally announce his retirement.
The film was played during the halftime ceremony of the Lakers’ retirement of Bryant’s Nos. 8 and 24 jerseys at Staples Center. Bryant was the screenwriter and executive producer of the animated short, while Glen Keane was the director and John Williams composed the score for the film.
Well before he knew of the outcome, Bryant said winning an Oscar would be a greater accomplishment than any that came during his storied career on the hardwood.