Table of Contents
Introduction: More Than a Number
In the rafters of the Crypto.com Arena, formerly the Staples Center, hang the jerseys of Los Angeles Lakers legends—Wilt Chamberlain’s #13, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s #33, Magic Johnson’s #32.
Yet, among these singular tributes to basketball royalty, there is an unprecedented anomaly.
Two jerseys, bearing the numbers 8 and 24, both honor the same man: Kobe Bryant.1
This unique distinction, making Bryant the only player in NBA history to have two numbers retired by the same franchise, is more than a simple acknowledgment of a long and storied career.2
It is a permanent testament to a career deliberately cleaved in two, a story of two distinct and dominant basketball lives lived by one athlete.
The existence of two retired numbers poses a fundamental question: What made these two eras so profoundly different that they demanded separate immortalization?
The switch from number 8 to number 24 ahead of the 2006-07 NBA season was not a mere change of apparel or a matter of simple preference.3
It was a profound and meticulously calculated act of personal and professional reinvention.
The change served as a definitive demarcation line, separating two Hall of Fame-caliber careers housed within a single, relentless competitor.5
This report will deconstruct the multifaceted motivations behind this pivotal decision, revealing it as a complex interplay of personal growth, psychological reset, strategic brand rehabilitation, and a quiet but audacious challenge to the ghosts of basketball history.
By examining the player, the man, and the icon, the full story emerges—a story of how changing a number became the ultimate expression of a legend’s control over his own narrative.
Part I: The Era of Eight – “Planting the Flag” (1996-2006)
The first half of Kobe Bryant’s career, defined by the number 8 on his back, was a whirlwind of prodigious talent, explosive ambition, and dynastic success, all shadowed by internal conflict and external crisis.
This was the era of a young phenom determined to prove his worth, a period he himself described as an effort to “plant your flag” in a league of giants.1
The Origin of #8: A Number of Ambition
When a teenaged Kobe Bryant arrived in the NBA in 1996, drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets and immediately traded to the Lakers, his preferred jersey numbers were unavailable.2
Number 24, the first number he wore at Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania, was already taken by Lakers guard George McCloud.1
His other high school number, 33, was untouchable, having been retired by the Lakers to honor the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.1
Forced to choose another, Bryant selected a number deeply rooted in his basketball journey.
He chose #8, a number he had worn while growing up and playing in Italy.8
More significantly, it was a nod to the number he wore at the prestigious Adidas ABCD basketball camp, 143.
The sum of those digits (
1+4+3) equals 8, a subtle tribute to a time when he established himself as a premier talent among his peers.1
This number, however, was more than a practical choice; it was a mission statement.
Bryant later explained that the #8 represented the mindset of his early career: an unrelenting drive to establish his presence and prove his greatness.
“When I first came in at 8, is really trying to ‘plant your flag’ sort of thing,” he stated.
“I got to prove that I belong here in this league.
I’ve got to prove that I’m one of the best in this league.
You’re going after them.
It’s nonstop energy and aggressiveness and stuff”.7
The number 8 became synonymous with this raw, untamed ambition—the calling card of a young prodigy determined to carve out his own space among the game’s elite.
The “Frobe” Persona: Athleticism, Arrogance, and Ascent
The player who wore number 8, often affectionately nicknamed “Frobe” for his signature afro hairstyle, was a spectacle of athletic prowess.
He was a hyper-athletic, high-flying guard whose game was built on explosive drives, acrobatic finishes, and thunderous dunks that captivated audiences.11
His early years were a showcase of this raw talent, from winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie to becoming the youngest All-Star in league history at 19.2
Yet, this period was also marked by crucial learning experiences.
In the 1997 Western Conference Semifinals against the Utah Jazz, Bryant famously shot four airballs in the game’s closing moments, a humbling failure that he would later credit with forging his legendary work ethic and steely resolve.14
The defining feature of the #8 era was his partnership with superstar center Shaquille O’Neal.
Together, they formed one of the most dominant duos in NBA history, leading the Lakers to three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002.15
This on-court success, however, masked a deeply fractured and tumultuous off-court relationship.
O’Neal, the established veteran and Finals MVP of all three title runs, clashed with Bryant’s intense, all-business demeanor, which he and other teammates often interpreted as arrogance and selfishness.15
Bryant, in turn, grew frustrated with what he perceived as O’Neal’s lack of commitment to conditioning and his more relaxed approach to the game.17
This “Shaq-Kobe feud” became the central drama of a dynasty.
It was a power struggle between two alpha personalities: the charismatic, dominant big man and the supremely confident, ascendant guard who believed he was destined to be the best.15
While they conquered the league together, the internal tension was constant, with public criticisms and private frustrations boiling over.
The #8 era was thus a story of conflicting dualities: Bryant was a champion, but often viewed as a subordinate; a beloved prodigy, yet a polarizing figure within his own locker room.
This inherent conflict made the dynasty’s structure, and the identity of #8, ultimately unsustainable.
The Breaking Point and the Wilderness Years (2003-2006)
The foundation of the Lakers dynasty and Bryant’s public image fractured irrevocably between 2003 and 2004.
In the summer of 2003, Bryant was arrested in Eagle, Colorado, facing a felony sexual assault charge from a 19-year-old hotel employee.8
He admitted to a consensual adulterous encounter but vehemently denied the assault accusation.8
The criminal case was eventually dropped in 2004 after the accuser decided not to testify in court, and a separate civil lawsuit was settled privately.8
The incident, however, left an indelible mark.
His public image was severely “tarnished,” and his marketability plummeted as sponsors, including McDonald’s and Nutella, ended their relationships with him.19
On the court, the dynasty crumbled.
After a stunning loss to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals, the Lakers organization made a franchise-altering choice.
They traded Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat and re-signed Bryant to a long-term contract, officially making him the undisputed cornerstone of the franchise.16
The power struggle was over, and Bryant had won.
But this victory came at a cost, placing the full weight of the team’s future on his shoulders.
The years that followed, from 2004 to 2006, are often referred to as Bryant’s “wilderness years.” Freed from O’Neal’s shadow, he unleashed an individual offensive onslaught unlike almost anything the league had ever seen.
He led the NBA in scoring during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.16
The 2005-06 season was his statistical masterpiece: he averaged a staggering 35.4 points per game, a figure not seen in decades, and in January 2006, he scored a legendary 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the second-highest single-game total in NBA history.22
Despite this individual brilliance, the team languished.
Surrounded by a subpar supporting cast that included players like Smush Parker and Kwame Brown, the Lakers missed the playoffs in 2005 and suffered first-round exits in 2006 and 2007.23
This period solidified Bryant’s reputation as the league’s most lethal scorer but also fueled criticism that he was a selfish player who couldn’t elevate his team to championship contention on his own.
By the end of the 2005-06 season, the identity of “#8” was heavy with baggage.
It was associated with the feud with Shaq, the public scandal from Colorado, and the perception that, for all his talent, he couldn’t win the ultimate prize as the lone alpha.
A change was no longer just a possibility; it was a psychological and strategic necessity to escape a complex and increasingly negative narrative.
Part II: The Transition – A Calculated Rebirth
The decision to switch from number 8 to 24 was not a whim.
It was a multifaceted, strategic pivot designed to redefine Kobe Bryant’s identity on every conceivable level.
The change represented a confluence of public narrative shaping, private ambition, and shrewd commercial calculus.
Each motivation did not exist in a vacuum; they were interwoven, with each rationale reinforcing the others to create a powerful, unified act of reinvention.
The Official Narrative: Growth, Maturity, and the 24/7 Ethic
Publicly, Bryant and his camp framed the number change as a symbol of personal and professional evolution.
He articulated that the switch from 8 to 24 represented “growth” and “maturity”.25
At the midpoint of his 20-year career, he was no longer the youngest player on the team but one of its elder statesmen.
He spoke of gaining a “broader perspective” through marriage and fatherhood, acknowledging that while his explosive physical attributes were naturally evolving with age, his mental and emotional acuity had sharpened.7
“Physical attributes aren’t there the way they used to be, but the maturity level is greater,” he explained.7
This narrative of maturation was inextricably linked to his burgeoning “Mamba Mentality” philosophy.
Bryant explicitly connected the new number to the relentless cycle of work: “24 hours in a day, 24 seconds on the shot clock”.8
This became a mantra for the second half of his career.
It signified a total, all-encompassing commitment to the process, to maximizing every single moment of every single day.
In one interview, he described the philosophy behind #24 as approaching every day as if it were his last, a mentality he felt was essential after Shaq’s departure, when he had to “drive this team every day”.29
This official story was powerful and positive, presenting the change as a natural and inspiring progression from a young star to a wise veteran.
The Rebranding Imperative: A “Clean Slate”
Beneath the public narrative of growth lay a more urgent and pragmatic motivation: the need for a comprehensive rebranding.
The 2003 sexual assault case in Colorado had inflicted severe damage on Bryant’s public image and commercial viability.19
Multiple analyses and fan discussions directly connect the number change to the aftermath of this incident, describing it as a deliberate “image makeover” and an attempt to start with a “clean slate”.6
The number 8 was inextricably linked to the player who faced those allegations.
By shedding that number, Bryant could symbolically shed that chapter of his life.
The change was a clear, visual break from the past.
Coupled with other changes, like shaving his head, it signaled a “new beginning”.8
This was a strategic move to redirect the public conversation away from his past legal troubles and personal transgressions, and toward a future defined by the themes of his official narrative: maturity, dedication, and an unwavering work ethic.
It was an attempt to control his story by quite literally changing the symbol that represented him.
The Competitive Statement: One Better Than Mike
While Bryant himself was often diplomatic on the subject, a compelling theory, voiced most forcefully by his contemporary and rival Kevin Garnett, suggests a deeper, more competitive fire behind the choice of 24.25
Garnett, a fellow Hall of Famer, stated in no uncertain terms that the switch was a direct challenge to Michael Jordan.
He believed that choosing number 24, one digit higher than Jordan’s iconic 23, was “a shot at Mike, straight up,” a symbolic declaration that Bryant was striving to be “one better” than the man widely considered the greatest of all time.19
This interpretation aligns perfectly with Bryant’s well-documented obsession with Jordan.
Throughout his career, Bryant meticulously studied Jordan’s game, emulated his moves, and relentlessly chased his records and accolades.6
The desire to surpass Jordan was a core driver of his competitive spirit.
While Bryant publicly dismissed this theory as a “complete coincidence,” the idea that his number choice was a subtle nod to his ultimate ambition remains a powerful and persuasive lens through which to view his psyche.19
It represents the private, internal motivation that fueled the public transformation.
The Commercial Angle: Revenue and Market Saturation
The strategic brilliance of the number change is also evident from a purely commercial standpoint.
By 2006, after a decade in the league and three championships, the market for Kobe Bryant’s #8 jersey was likely nearing saturation.
As many fans and analysts have pointed out, switching to #24 effectively reset the entire merchandise market.19
Millions of devoted fans who already owned a #8 jersey were now compelled to purchase the new #24 to stay current, generating a massive new stream of revenue for Bryant, the Lakers organization, and the NBA.
The timing of this move was also opportune.
Some have noted that the change happened around the time Bryant switched his shoe endorsement from Adidas to Nike, creating a perfect synergy for a major marketing push.19
The “new” Kobe, with his new number and new narrative of maturity, could be marketed as a completely new product.
This confluence of motivations reveals the genius of the decision.
The public narrative of “growth” provided a respectable and inspiring reason for the change.
This story simultaneously served the more pressing need for a “rebranding” after the Colorado scandal.
This personal and public reinvention, in turn, created a highly lucrative “commercial” opportunity.
And fueling this entire transformation was the deep-seated “competitive” desire to chase Jordan’s legacy.
Each reason did not work in isolation but as part of a cohesive, mutually reinforcing strategy.
The number change was a masterclass in narrative control, an act by which Bryant didn’t just let his story be told—he actively seized the pen and wrote the next chapter himself.
Part III: The Era of Twenty-Four – The “Mamba Mentality” Manifested (2006-2016)
The second half of Kobe Bryant’s career, played entirely under the banner of number 24, was the fulfillment of the promises made during his calculated transition.
If the switch was a statement of intent, this era was the proof.
It was here that the “Mamba Mentality” was not just a philosophy but a tangible force, transforming Bryant from a polarizing superstar into a revered basketball sage and, ultimately, a champion on his own terms.
The Return to Roots, The Reign of a Master
The choice of 24 was not just a step forward but also a look back.
It was a return to his basketball origins, the first number he wore as a freshman at Lower Merion High School.1
This act represented a symbolic reconnection with the pure, unadulterated love for the game that had set him on his path, a way to get back to his roots after a period of immense professional and personal complexity.6
This new era brought with it a distinct evolution in his playing style.
The raw, explosive athleticism that defined #8 gave way to the surgical precision of #24.11
As his physical gifts naturally waned with age, he compensated with an unparalleled basketball intellect and a refined skill set.
He became a “maestro” and a “sage” on the court, dissecting defenses with impeccable footwork, a vast arsenal of post-up moves, and a devastatingly effective turnaround fadeaway jumper—a shot he famously honed by studying Michael Jordan.6
He was no longer just an explosive scorer who overwhelmed opponents; he was a basketball scientist who out-thought and out-maneuvered them.
As former teammate Tracy McGrady noted, both versions were “vicious in their own ways,” but where #8 attacked with instinct, #24 picked you apart with purpose.11
Leadership and Vindicating a Legacy
The ultimate success of the #24 era was catalyzed by the Lakers’ acquisition of Spanish big man Pau Gasol in a trade during the 2007-08 season.21
Gasol was the perfect co-star for this new version of Bryant.
Unlike the dominant, alpha personality of Shaquille O’Neal, Gasol was a highly skilled, intelligent player who was willing to be, in the words of former Lakers trainer Gary Vitti, “Batman’s Robin”.21
This partnership allowed Bryant’s evolved leadership to flourish.
He had once sworn he never wanted to play with a dominant center again after the Shaq experience, and in Gasol, he found a partner whose ego did not clash with his own.21
This new dynamic was noticed by his teammates.
Sasha Vujacic, who played with both versions of Kobe, highlighted the critical difference: “When he was 24, he understood that he needed you…
he would pass a little more”.11
In his #8 days, passing was often a last resort; as #24, Bryant learned to trust his teammates as a fundamental part of the plan to win.11
This new, mature approach yielded immediate and spectacular results.
With Gasol as his second-in-command, Bryant led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2008 to 2010, winning back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.2
These victories were the ultimate vindication of his career.
He was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2008 and, most importantly, was awarded the NBA Finals MVP trophy for both of his championship wins.2
These accolades definitively answered the biggest criticism that had haunted his #8 era: he had now proven, beyond any doubt, that he could lead a team to the pinnacle of the sport as its undisputed leader, without Shaquille O’Neal.
The #24 era was the delivery on the promise of growth, the manifestation of a new identity, and the final, triumphant chapter in his quest for basketball immortality.
Conclusion: Two Halves of a Whole Legend
The question of why Kobe Bryant switched his jersey number from 8 to 24 ultimately has no single, simple answer because the act itself was not a single-minded decision.
It was a masterfully executed pivot, a convergence of motivations that were at once personal, psychological, strategic, and philosophical.
The switch was simultaneously a public declaration of personal growth, a necessary psychological reset after a period of intense public and private turmoil, a savvy rebranding and marketing strategy, a bold competitive statement aimed at the highest echelon of the sport, and the philosophical anchor for the second, more deliberate half of an epic career.
The enduring power of the number change lies in its success.
By cleaving his career in two, Bryant authored two distinct but equally monumental legacies.
The statistical and anecdotal evidence overwhelmingly supports the notion that he produced two separate Hall of Fame-worthy careers within his 20 seasons.5
The endless debate among fans and analysts over which version was “better”—the raw, explosive talent of #8 or the masterful, cerebral wisdom of #24—is a testament to the profound success of his reinvention.
It is a debate he himself curated, a narrative framework he constructed to define his own legend.
The statistical parity between the two eras is astonishing, underscoring how he managed to sustain an elite level of production while completely transforming his approach to the game.
| Metric | #8 Era (1996-2006) | #24 Era (2006-2016) |
| Seasons Played | 10 | 10 |
| Total Points | 16,866 9 | 16,777 5 |
| NBA Championships | 3 9 | 2 9 |
| NBA Finals Appearances | 4 5 | 3 21 |
| NBA MVP Awards | 0 32 | 1 2 |
| NBA Finals MVP Awards | 0 32 | 2 2 |
| All-Star Selections | 8 9 | 10 9 |
| All-NBA First Team Selections | 4 2 | 7 2 |
| All-Defensive First Team Selections | 4 2 | 5 2 |
| Scoring Titles | 1 5 | 1 5 |
Ultimately, the switch from 8 to 24 was the ultimate expression of the Mamba Mentality he came to embody: a relentless, obsessive, and constant quest to become the best version of oneself.33
He recognized that the player he was could not become the player he needed to be without a fundamental change.
By shedding his old number, he shed the limitations of his past—the subordinate role, the public scandal, the questions about his leadership.
In doing so, Kobe Bryant did not just change his number; he multiplied his legend, ensuring that his story would be told not as a single arc, but as a tale of two titans.
Works cited
- The reason why Kobe Bryant chose No. 8 as his jersey number …, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.basketballnetwork.net/off-the-court/the-reason-why-kobe-bryant-chose-no-8-as-his-jersey-number-when-he-got-to-the-nba
- Kobe Bryant – Wikipedia, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant
- What Was Kobe’s Jersey Number | StatMuse, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=what+was+kobe%27s+jersey+number
- What Uniform Number Did Kobe Bryant Wear – StatMuse, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/what-uniform-number-did-kobe-bryant-wear
- Kobe Bryant and 8/24: One player, two numbers and two Hall of Fame careers with Lakers, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nba/news/kobe-bryant-8-24-numbers-career-lakers/1am4436xdh7a41bzni3zmjnscv
- Why Did Kobe Bryant Change From No. 8 To No. 24? – Yardbarker, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/why_did_kobe_bryant_change_from_no_8_to_no_24/s1_16751_38138293
- The story behind Kobe Bryant’s jersey numbers | #nba #shorts – YouTube, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EL9dMy3Zsy0
- Why Kobe Bryant wore two different numbers for the Los Angeles Lakers, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/nba/why-kobe-bryant-wore-two-different-numbers-for-the-los-angeles-lakers/news-story/e8b4e1ac2043fe61c2922093e567aca9
- Why Kobe Bryant changed jersey numbers and what No. 8 and No …, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/why-kobe-bryant-changed-jersey-numbers-and-what-no-8-and-no-24-meant-to-the-nba-legend/
- en.wikipedia.org, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant#:~:text=Bryant%20wore%20143%20at%20the,8%20by%20adding%20those%20numbers.
- Sasha Vujacic explains difference between No. 8 and No. 24 Kobe – Basketball Network, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.basketballnetwork.net/latest-news/sasha-vujacic-explains-the-difference-between-no-8-and-no-24-kobe-bryant
- Differences in play style between Kobe and Micheal. : r/nba – Reddit, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/gv0k9w/differences_in_play_style_between_kobe_and_micheal/
- Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers SG/SF (#8/#24) – A Career Overview : r/NBATalk – Reddit, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/NBATalk/comments/1hq61oz/kobe_bryant_los_angeles_lakers_sgsf_824_a_career/
- The Evolution of Kobe Bryant | The Root, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.theroot.com/the-evolution-of-kobe-bryant-1849453268
- Shaq–Kobe feud – Wikipedia, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaq%E2%80%93Kobe_feud
- List of career achievements by Kobe Bryant – Wikipedia, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Kobe_Bryant
- ‘Just Looks Like a Feud’ — When Shaquille O’Neal Revealed the Truth Behind Controversial Relationship With Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant – Pro Football Network, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nba/shaquille-oneal-reveals-kobe-bryant-lakers-relationship/
- The Toxic Duo That BUILT and BROKE the Lakers Dynasty – YouTube, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihoTwaADJVY
- Why did kobe change his number? : r/lakers – Reddit, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/lakers/comments/1lhu7c/why_did_kobe_change_his_number/
- Why did Kobe Bryant change his number? #nba #basketball – YouTube, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mc-tMWmfKVE
- Kobe Bryant swore to never play with a dominant center after Shaquille O’Neal left, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/kobe-bryant-swore-to-never-play-with-a-dominant-center-after-shaquille-oneal-left
- 2005-2006 Kobe Bryant season averages: 35.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.8 steals 45% FG : r/nba – Reddit, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/427brp/20052006_kobe_bryant_season_averages_354_points/
- How was Kobe Bryant perceived during 2004-2007? (Post Shaq) : r/nbadiscussion – Reddit, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/nbadiscussion/comments/gz0haf/how_was_kobe_bryant_perceived_during_20042007/
- Why weren’t the Lakers able to surround Kobe with better talent for 3 years after Shaq left? : r/nba – Reddit, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1da4v7v/why_werent_the_lakers_able_to_surround_kobe_with/
- NBA Hall Of Famer Gets Real About Why Kobe Bryant Changed …, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.si.com/fannation/backinthedaynba/nba-hall-of-famer-gets-real-about-why-kobe-bryant-changed-jersey-number-01jge1tkznwr
- www.si.com, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.si.com/fannation/backinthedaynba/nba-hall-of-famer-gets-real-about-why-kobe-bryant-changed-jersey-number-01jge1tkznwr#:~:text=Then%20he%20suddenly%20changed%20it,sign%20of%20growth%20and%20maturity.
- Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Frenemy Reveals Motivation Behind No. 24 Jersey, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/kobe-bryant-frenemy-reveals-motivation-behind-no-24-jersey-ak1987
- The Truth Behind Kobe Changing His Number To #24 #short #kobebryant #lakers #nba #blackmamba – YouTube, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P-2y-qVB_R0
- Kobe Bryant on why he changed his jersey number #shorts – YouTube, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bctupROvPr8
- why did kobe change from 8 to 24 – nba – Reddit, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/4qp8xf/why_did_kobe_change_from_8_to_24/
- Remembering Kobe Bryant: A Legend On and Off the Court – MeaVana, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.meavana.com/blogs/remembering-kobe-bryant-a-legend-on-and-off-the-court
- Kobe Bryant 8 vs 24 – Lincoln High School Statesman, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://lhsstatesman.com/2020/03/kobe-bryant-8-vs-24-12783/
- 11 Tips for Applying Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality to Your Career – Kenneth Flakes, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.kennethflakes.com/post/11-tips-for-applying-kobe-bryant-s-mamba-mentality-to-your-career
- Kobe Bryant revealed the story behind the creation of Mamba Mentality – Basketball Network, accessed on August 6, 2025, https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/kobe-bryant-revealed-the-story-behind-the-creation-of-mamba-mentality
