BRYANT WINS OSCAR FOR ANIMATED SHORT FILM

Kobe Bryant is a winner in retirement, too. The former Los Angeles Lakers star won an Oscar in the animated short category for “Dear Basketball”, a poem he wrote after ending his 20- year career on the court in 2016.

He’ll add it to an already jammed trophy collection that includes five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals, NBA Finals most valuable player awards, a league MVP award and four All- Star game MVP awards.

Backstage, Bryant looked lovingly at the statue cradled in his hands and mouthed, “My God”.

“I feel better than winning championships,” he said, a smile never leaving his face. “This is crazy, man, it’s crazy.”

As executive producer of the sixminute film, Bryant accepted his golden Oscar statue from Star Wars star Mark Hamill on Sunday night. He shared the award with Disney animator Glen Keane.

“You don’t have to sit in a tub ice,” Keane told Bryant backstage.

Since hanging up his basketball shoes, Bryant has delved into business ( a new Nike shoe) and various forms of storytelling.

The 39- year- old sports superstar believed the nomination validated that he could succeed off the court.

“I mean, as basketball players we’re really supposed to shut up and dribble but I’m glad we do a little bit more than that,” Bryant said on stage.

Bryant said he heard dismissive comments like “That’s cute” when he told people he wanted to become a storyteller in retirement. of