Kobe Bryant once said he wanted to be remembered as an investor instead of an athlete

Kobe Bryant wanted to be remembered as an investor, he once said

Basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died January 26 at age 41, wanted to be remembered for his investments, not his hoops career, he once said.

Bryant shared his thoughts about his legacy and passion in investment during an interview with CNBC on August 22, 2016, after disclosing the launch of his own $100 million venture fund.

When CNBC's Carl Quintanilla asked if his legacy will be in basketball or investing 20 years from now, Bryant didn't hesitate to say "investing," adding it's more meaningful because of its lasting influence:

"Playing basketball, the focus is always winning. Winning championships. Winning championships come and go. It's going to be another team that wins another championship, another player that wins another MVP award," Bryant said. "If you really want to create something that lasts generations, you have to help inspire the next generation, right? They create something great. And then that generation will inspire the one behind them. That's when you create something forever. And that's what's most beautiful."

Over his 20-year career with the Lakers, Bryant built a legacy that made him one of the greatest NBA players. He was nominated in December 2019 to be inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2020.