Kobe's First and Last Points Were Free Throws
Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in NBA history, and his career is full of legendary moments. The fun fact that his first and last NBA points both came from free throws carries a deeper meaning.
On November 3, 1996, in his NBA debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 18-year-old Kobe scored the first point of his career at the free-throw line. That first free throw not only marked the start of his NBA journey, it also foreshadowed his reliability at the stripe.
Twenty years later, on April 13, 2016, in his final game versus the Utah Jazz, Kobe erupted for 60 points. His final two points again came from free throws—he sank both with 31.6 seconds left—putting the exclamation point on a storybook farewell.
The coincidence reflects the completeness of his career and his poise under pressure. Bryant shot 83.7% from the line in his career and made 8,378 free throws, ranking fourth in NBA history.
Consistent fundamentals and focus drive steady in-game performance.
"From his first point to his last, Kobe scored at the line—a coincidence that reflects steady mindset and years of disciplined work."