Kobe Bryant’s ‘Dear Basketball’ nominated for Academy Award

The nominations for the 90th Academy Awards were announced earlier today. Former NBA superstar Kobe Bryant received a nod for his animated short film ‘Dear Basketball.’

Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant is looking to add another statue to his trophy case in the near future. The five-time NBA champion and former league MVP has conquered Larry O’Brien and Maurice Podoloff and now he goes after the Oscar.

Dear Basketball, a six-minute animated film written and narrated by Bryant, received the nomination in the Best Animated Short Film category earlier today. The film is based on the poem written by Bryant to announce his retirement after the 2015-16 season.

You can watch the short film here.

The film was animated and directed by Glen Keane with a musical score composed by Academy Award winner John Williams. It was released in April 2017 at the Tribeca Film Festival.

The film is an animated love-letter from Bryant to the game to which he gave his all.  “From my mind and body, to my spirit and soul” Kobe narrates in the film. It takes viewers on a journey with Bryant from his days as a young boy obsessed with the game and dreaming, to a man having accomplished all he could ever have dreamed of and more in the game.

Bryant took to Twitter to express his gratitude and surprise at the nomination.

We’re glad Bryant has somewhat made up with former-teammate-turned-former-rival-turned-now-friend Shaquille O’Neal. The level of shade Bryant could cast towards O’Neal due to this nomination would have been enough to block out the sun. Oscar-nominated vs. Kazaam? Chalk up another win for Bryant in this one.

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Dear Basketball is nominated alongside Garden Party,  Lou,  Negative Space, and Revolting Rhymes in the category.

The 90th Academy Awards will be presented on Sunday, Mar. 4, and will be televised on ABC.