On June 23, 2008, he was named to the USA Men's Senior National Team for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Bryant declined to play within the 2000 Olympics as he was getting married in the low season. Bryant was originally chosen for the FIBA Americas Championship in 2003, however withdrew after undergoing arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgical procedures. Along with LeBron James, he was one of the first two gamers to publicly named to the 2006–2008 U.S. preliminary roster in 2006 by Jerry Colangelo.

Bryant made two buzzer-beaters to win the sport and the Pacific Division title. At the end of the fourth quarter, Bryant made a three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to ship it into overtime. The recreation eventually went to a second extra time, during which Bryant made another three-pointer as time expired to carry the Lakers past the Blazers, 105–104. As a outcome, Bryant's point averages greater than doubled, from 7.6 to 15.four points per recreation.

That approach has never wavered – from basketball to business. What I did modify, though, was how I various my method from participant to player, business to business. I nonetheless problem everybody and make them uncomfortable; I simply do it in a way that is tailored to them. To be taught what would work and for who, I do homework and watch how they behave. I be taught their histories and hearken to what their targets are. I be taught what makes them really feel safe and the place their best doubts lay.

The duo of O'Neal and Bryant backed with a powerful bench led to the Lakers winning 67 video games, tied for fifth-most in NBA historical past. This followed with O'Neal profitable the MVP and Bryant being named to the All-NBA Team Second Team and All-NBA Defensive Team for the primary time in his career . While enjoying second fiddle to O'Neal in the playoffs, Bryant had some clutch performances including a 25-point, eleven rebound, 7 assist, 4 block sport in game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. He additionally threw an alley-oop cross to O'Neal to clinch the game and the series. In the 2000 NBA Finals towards the Indiana Pacers, Bryant injured his ankle within the second quarter of Game 2 after touchdown on the Pacers' Jalen Rose's foot.

In his first 12 months of eligibility, Bryant was named a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, weeks after his death, earlier than being elected a couple of months later in April 2020. His formal induction was delayed till 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2021, Bryant was honored as one of the league's best players of all time by being named to the NBA seventy fifth Anniversary Team. The Lakers swept the Utah Jazz in the second spherical and advanced to the Western Conference Finals, the place they faced the Phoenix Suns. In Game 2, Bryant completed the game with thirteen assists, setting a new playoff career-high; it was essentially the most assists by a Laker in the playoffs since Magic Johnson had thirteen in 1996. Bryant considered the shot "one of many luckiest he has made".

Bryant led the staff to two consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010, and was named NBA Finals MVP on both occasions. He continued to be among the prime gamers within the league by way of 2013, when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon at age 34. He subsequently suffered season-ending accidents to his knee and shoulder, respectively, within the following two seasons. Citing physical decline, Bryant retired after the 2015–16 season. On January 10, 2012, Bryant scored 48 points against the Suns.

The accuser stated that Bryant raped her in his resort room the night time before Bryant was to have the process. Bryant admitted to an adulterous sexual encounter with his accuser, however denied her sexual assault allegation. In his interview with police, Bryant also acknowledged a "frequent" adulterous sexual relationship with one other woman named "Michelle" on the time. Bryant scored a career excessive of 81-points towards the Toronto Raptors in Staples Center, second-highest single scoring performance in NBA historical past, surpassed only by Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point sport in 1962. He spoke fluent Spanish, Italian and Chinese in addition to English with confidence and finesse. The participant, who entered the league straight from high school, would usually answer worldwide reporters’ questions in their native languages.

A week later, Bryant suffered an avulsion fracture in his proper index finger in a game in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite the damage, Bryant elected to continue taking half in, quite than take any day without work to relaxation the damage. Five days after his finger injury, he made one other game-winning shot, after missing on a possibility in regulation, this time towards the Milwaukee Bucks in an overtime sport.