The Players' Tribune

24

Walter Iooss Jr.

Walter Iooss Jr.

Photographer

Kobe.

Just the name alone makes me think of greatness, because that’s what Kobe is: an all-time great.

We first met in Orlando in 1995. He was a rookie and I was shooting for Upper Deck trading cards. I had him on a trampoline. This is something I used a few times with him — he was the best I’ve ever seen on a trampoline. We have worked together many times throughout his career. Kobe is an interesting, intelligent, driven, world-class basketball player.

I’ve shot a lot of athletes in my career, but a Kobe only comes along once.

Here are 24 of my favorite photos from a career shooting No. 24.

1997.
1997. /
1997.
1997. /
1997.
1997. /
With Tyra Banks, 1999.
With Tyra Banks, 1999. /
2000.
2000. /
2000.
2000. /
2001.
2001. /
With Shaq, 2001.
With Shaq, 2001. /
2001.
2001. /
2001.
2001. /
2001.
2001. /
With Shaq, 2002.
With Shaq, 2002. /
With Shaq, 2002.
With Shaq, 2002. /
With Shaq, 2002.
With Shaq, 2002. /
2002.
2002. /
2002.
2002. /
2002.
2002. /
2002.
2002. /
2002.
2002. /
2010.
2010. /
2010.
2010. /
2010.
2010. /
2015.
2015. /
2015.
2015. /

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