Kobe: The Making of a Legend

Exploring the life and legacy of an American icon, Kobe: The Making of a Legend sheds light on the unseen forces that shaped his incredible journey—both on and off the court.

Following in the footsteps of his father, former NBA player Joe Bryan, Kobe’s life was one of determination, triumph, controversy, and transformation. And this three-part CNN Original Series delves into his meteoric rise, the family that grounded him until it fractured, the sexual assault allegations that cast a long shadow, and Kobe’s evolution into a storyteller, devoted father, and one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Through it all, his alter ego—the Black Mamba—emerges as both his armour and a symbol of his reinvention.

Years after his tragic death, Kobe’s remarkable story continues to spark dialogue around greatness, redemption, and humanity—just as he would have wanted it to.