Kobe Bryant Reflected on ‘Inspiring Kids' in Final Interview Before His Death
In an interview with USA Today published on Jan. 23, the former Los Angeles Lakers player expressed happiness at his careers outside of basketball.
By Mike Vulpo ••
NBCUniversal, Inc.
Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The Los Angeles Lakers star played 20 years in the NBA, inspiring athletes everywhere.
Just because he left the basketball court doesn't mean Kobe Bryant was done inspiring.
As sports and pop culture fans alike continue to mourn the death of the NBA legend, Kobe's final interview before his passing has surfaced.
In an interview with USA Today published on Jan. 23, the former Los Angeles Lakers player expressed happiness at his careers outside of basketball. One job in particular that he especially admired was the children's books he worked on with "The Wizenard Series."
"You got to do what you love to do. I love telling stories," he shared with the publication. "I love inspiring kids or providing them with tools that are going to help them."
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Five-time champion Kobe Bryant enjoys his final NBA title with his kids.
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Kobe Bryant played his rookie season in 1996-97.
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No. 8 Kobe Bryant was an athletic monster and won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in his rookie year.
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In 2000, Kobe Bryant played in his first NBA finals.
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With Shaq, Kobe Bryant won the 2000 NBA title.
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No. 8 Kobe's Lakers and Kings had a playoff rivalry.
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Tim Duncan and the Spurs were regular postseason foes.
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In the 2001 finals, Allen Iverson's Sixers offered a challenge.
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Lakers won the 2001 finals and went 15-1 in the playoffs.
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In 2002, Kobe's Lakers do the threepeat. They beat Jason Kidd's Nets.
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Manu Ginobili, one of the few to last from No. 8 to No. 24.
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Kobe led the 2004 Lakers' super team to the NBA finals.
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Lakers fell to Pistons in the 2004 NBA finals.
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Shaq and Kobe split in 2004.
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Kobe looks to Lamar Odom for Lakers' turnaround.
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No. 8: Kobe Bryant outscored the Mavs 62-61 over three quarters.
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Kobe Bryant once scored 61 points at Madison Square Garden.
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Various so-called rivals came and went.
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A new generation of rivals emerged.
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More new challengers to Kobe's throne.
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Kobe changed numbers, rivals changed teams.
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In 2007, Kobe Bryant requested a trade away from the Lakers.
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Instead of trading Kobe, the Lakers traded for Paul Gasol.
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And Kobe Bryant won his only MVP trophy in 2008.
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...But Kobe's Lakers lost in the 2008 NBA finals to the hated Boston Celtics.
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Kobe led team USA to Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008.
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Finally, Kobe wins a title without Shaq.
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No. 24 wins Finals MVP and NBA Title No. 4 in 2009 along with long-time teammate Derek Fisher.
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Kobe Bryant met Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama as Champion.
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Kobe passed me the ball! Lakers beat Celtics in 2010!
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Kobe Bryant: 18-Time All-Star, 4-time All-Star Game MVP.
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Kobe Bryant tears his Achilles' heel, still hits two free throws.
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Kobe Bryant passes his mentor Michael Jordan on NBA's all-time scoring list.
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Mamba Out! Kobe scores 60 points in his farewell game.
Kobe even launched his own publishing company as a platform to share his stories. "I have an idea for an entire universe that centers around sports, fantasy and magic," he told USA Today. "It's as if the Olympics and Harry Potter had a baby."
According to the profile, Kobe reported to his office regularly at 8 a.m. He would leave work around 2 p.m. to pick up his daughters from school. He would return to work around 3:30 p.m. for more work.
And between all of his jobs and passions, Kobe also enjoyed passing along his athletic skills to younger athletes.
"Coaching youth sports is so important to take very seriously because you're helping the emotional (development) of young kids," he shared. "So it's understanding not to be overcritical and understanding that (there) are going to be mistakes."
Kobe died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., on Sunday morning. According to officials, he was one of nine people who passed away in the accident, which is currently under investigation.
The sports legend was married to Vanessa Bryant and they had four daughters together. The couple's 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant was also onboard the helicopter and passed away.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the tragedy.
