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Watch: Kobe Bryant’s Oscar-winning 'Dear Basketball'

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives | By Titan Frey | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 11:15 AM ET

Kobe Bryant dedicated his life to the game of basketball. He played 20 years, winning five NBA championships in the process.

As Kobe’s career was winding down, he knew what his next career would be: becoming a storyteller. What better story to start with than telling his own story of falling in love with the game of basketball?

Kobe penned it for The Players’ Tribune in 2015. Later, Kobe’s letter would be turned into an Oscar-winning animated short film.

“You asked for my hustle, I gave you my heart.”

“Dear Basketball” by Kobe Bryant and Glen Keane
pic.twitter.com/bXYe5wteOs

— Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation (@kobehighlight) March 11, 2024

Kobe’s letter to the game of basketball is a moving farewell. It not only captures the innocence of childhood dreams but also the gravity of letting go.

“Dear Basketball” is a reminder to us all that Kobe didn’t just play the game—he lived it, loved it, and left behind a story that still echoes.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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