In 2018, Kobe Bryant became the first professional athlete and NBA player to be nominated for and to win an Academy Award; winning in the category of Best Animated Short Film for "Dear Basketball".
With his 2018 Oscar win, Kobe Bryant became the first African American to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
"Dear Basketball" was shown and closed the tribute ceremony to celebrate the lives of Kobe and his daughter Gianna Bryant, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 24th 2020, following their tragic demise in a helicopter crash on January 26th 2020.