Kobe Bryant Day 2021: 6 Impressive NBA Records Black Mamba Still Holds Today

This year is the first time we celebrate Kobe Bryant Day, in honor of the basketball icon who tragically passed away in 2020 due to a helicopter crash.

The date was chosen in homage to the two uniform numbers Bryant wore, 8 and 24, during his 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant achieved great success in his basketball career, forging his name in the NBA's hisory books. To celebrate Kobe Bryant's legacy, here are some impressive NBA records he still holds today that a Black Mamba fan should know.

1. Scored most points in the modern NBA era

Kobe scored 81 points in a single game against the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006. He scored 14 and 12 in the first and second quarters before going crazy in the second half, with 27 and 28 in the third and fourth quarters. It is the highest point scored in an NBA game in more than 50 years.

2. Highest points scored in a single arena

The Black Mamba scored highest in one court as he hit 16,161 points at the Staples Center.

3. Youngest player to start in an NBA All Star game

Bryant became the youngest player in an NBA All Star game, playing his first in February 1998 at the Madison Square Garden in New York. He was just 19 years and 170 days old, playing on the Western Conference team with Shaquille O'Neal, Gary Payton and Tim Duncan.

4. Most NBA All Star MVP awards

The Hall-of-Famer won the NBA All Star Game MVP a record four times (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011), a record he shares with Bob Pettit. They are two of only 13 players to have won the award more than once.

5. The most number of points scored, free throws made and turnovers for a guard

In his whole NBA career, Bryant hit 33,643 points — a fourth in NBA history and first in terms of a shooting guard. He made 8,378 free throws and completed 4,010 turnovers, all topping his position.

5. Youngest NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion

The rookie dominated Cleveland's 1997 Slam Dunk Contest when he was just 18 years and 169 days old. Kobe made two impressive dunks in the first round and added another in the championship round.

5. Oldest NBA player to score 60+ points

Kobe is the oldest player with 60+ points in a regular-season game. He was 37 years and 234 days old when he recorded the feat against the Jazz in his final NBA game on April 13, 2016.

6. Youngest player to score 33,000 points

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are the only players who scored more than 33,000 points in NBA history, but the legend hit the landmark when he was just 37 years and 138 days.