After weeks of struggling to make a comeback from two seasons of injury-riddled disappointment, on Sunday, five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant announced that this will be his last season.
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"You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream and I’ll always love you for it," wrote Bryant in a message on the Player's Tribune. "But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer. This season is all I have left to give."
Bryant is currently playing in his 20th season in the NBA, an epic milestone by any measure in sports. But recent performances, including a 31.5 shooting percentage, the worst in his playing career, apparently led to his decision to call it a career after this season.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver greeted the news with a personal message on Twitter honoring the legendary player.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement regarding @kobebryant’s announcement today pic.twitter.com/fenWAw4qSH— NBA (@NBA) November 30, 2015
Bryant is also giving fans at the Staples Center tonight a signed personal letter. The arena will be the site of the Lakers' home game at 9:30 p.m. ET versus the Indiana Pacers, an event during which emotions from fans and players alike are likely to run high.
Metta World Peace with his personally signed copy of Kobe's letter. https://t.co/8Jn1ep6Sz3— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) November 30, 2015
"My heart can take the pounding. My mind can handle the grind," continued Bryant in his farewell letter.
"But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye. And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go. I want you to know now so we both can savor every moment we have left together. The good and the bad. We have given each other all that we have."