Basketball legend Kobe Bryant announced last Sunday that he will officially retire at the end of the 2015-2016 NBA season. Kobe has helped the Lakers win five NBA championships over a 20-year career spent entirely in Los Angeles.

“I’ve known for a while,”Kobe told the press. “A decision like this, you can’t make that decision based on outside circumstances. It has to be an internal decision, and finally I’ve decided to accept that I can’t actually do this anymore, and I’m okay with that. “It takes a weight off my shoulders and everybody else’s.”

Kobe is one of just four

players in NBA history with 25,000 points, 6,000 rebounds and 6,000 assists in his career. NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated, “With 17 NBA All- Star selections, an NBA MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of our game.

Whether competing in the Finals or hoisting jump shots after midnight in an empty gym, Kobe has an unconditional love for the game. I join Kobe’s millions of fans around the world in congratulating him on an outstanding NBA career and thank him for so many thrilling memories.”

At the entrance to the Laker

game, fans received a letter from Kobe thanking them for their support over the years. He wrote, “What you’ve done for me is far greater than anything I’ve done for you. I knew that each minute of each game I wore purple and gold. I honor it as I play today and for the rest of this season. My love for this city, this team and for each of you will never fade. Thank you for this incredible journey.”

The Lakers have 66 games remaining after Sunday, and it is safe to say that fans around the world will be cheering heavily for such an incredible icon in the basketball world. Kobe also wrote a poem titled “Dear Basketball” as a way of showing his love, gratitude and passion for the sport.