LA City Council declares August 24th 'Kobe Bryant Day'

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - The Los Angeles City Council has declared Wednesday, August 24th 'Kobe Bryant Day', honoring the recently retired Los Angeles Laker on the date of the jersey numbers he wore with the team.

City Councilman Jose Huizar said declaring Aug. 24, 2016, in Bryant's honor "is the city of Los Angeles' way of thanking him for his single-minded dedication to excellence, the fans and the entire city and region of Los
Angeles."

"For 20 years, we were all the beneficiaries of Kobe's incredible talent and legendary work ethic, and on 8-24 we'll gather to say, `Thank you, Mamba,"' Huizar said, referring to Bryant's nickname.

Bryant wore the number 8 his first 10 seasons and 24 for the final 10.

He played his entire 20-season career with the Lakers, helping them win five NBA championships, and was chosen as the NBA Finals MVP for both of the two most recent championships.

The 6-foot-6-inch Bryant, a guard for most of his career but listed as a forward-guard in his final season, scored 33,643 points, the third most in league history, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone
(36,928).

Bryant was the league's MVP in the 2007-2008 season, received All-NBA honors 15 times, including 11 first-team selections, and was chosen to play in the league's All-Star Game 18 times.

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