LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Kobe Bryant could soon be immortalized in Los Angeles Lakers lore, with reports the team plans to retire his jersey on Dec. 18.
TMZ Sports and ESPN reported that Bryant will be honored at Staples Center during the Lakers' game with the Golden State Warriors. ESPN says the team will retire both numbers Bryant wore with the Lakers -- 8 and 24.
Bryant originally wore number 8 when he started his Lakers career in 1996, but switched to 24 after the 2005-06 season.
Bryant retired after the 2015-16 season, ending his career with 33,643 points, the third most in league history, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928). Bryant also took the third most shots all time, 26,200, again behind Abdul-Jabbar (28,307) and Malone (26,210).
Bryant officially became a Laker on July 1, 1996, when the team completed a previously agreed-to trade with the Charlotte Hornets, who had chosen him five days earlier with the 13th choice in the NBA draft as part of the trade agreement with the Lakers.
He played his entire career with the Lakers, helping the team win five NBA championships.
Bryant's 20 seasons played with one organization is an NBA record. He is among five players to play at least 20 seasons in the league, along with Kevin Garnett, Robert Parish and Kevin Willis, who all played 21, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played 20.
Bryant was the league's MVP in the 2007-2008 season, received All-NBA honors 15 times, including 11 first-team selections, and was chosen to play in the league's All-Star Game 18 times.
Bryant would be the 10th player to have his jersey retired. The team has previously retired the jerseys of Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, Magic Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, James Worthy, Jerry West and Jamaal Wilkes.