Basketball: Late NBA icon Kobe Bryant to receive posthumous Emmy Award

Kobe Bryant starred for 20 seasons with the LA Lakers. PHOTO: AFP

LOS ANGELES (REUTERS) - Oscar winner Kobe Bryant will receive a posthumous Emmy Award next month.

The Los Angeles Lakers icon will be honoured with the Governors Award at the 72nd Los Angeles Area Emmy Awards on July 18.

Bryant, who died at age 41 in a January helicopter crash, was selected for his "philanthropy, community building and inspiration that extended beyond the basketball court," according to an announcement made late Wednesday (June 10) by the event organiser, America's Television Academy.

"(Bryant) championed a number of worthy causes and critical issues, becoming an ambassador for women's basketball, a mentor and youth advocate, and raised awareness of homelessness in Los Angeles," read the statement.

Bryant starred for 20 seasons with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships and earning 18 All-Star selections.

Off the court, he won an Academy Award in 2018 for the animated short film "Dear Basketball".

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