Kobe Bryant became the first professional basketball player to win an Oscar on Sunday night and his former colleagues and competitors in the NBA were quick to congratulate him on his success.
Bryant won the Oscar for best animated short for the film Dear Basketball alongside animator Glen Keane.
LeBron James, one of the stars of the NBA at Cleveland Cavaliers, tweeted: “Salute @kobebryant on that Oscar!”
He also took aim at conservative commentator Laura Ingraham, who told him and other players critical of Donald Trump’s presidency to “shut up and dribble”.
Salute @kobebryant on that Oscar!! #WeAreMoreThanShutUpDribble #UJustContinueToSitBackAndWatch
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 5, 2018
Jeanie Buss, chief executive of the Los Angeles Lakers, where Bryant spent the whole of his 20-year career, also tweeted her congratulations, adding “you continue to inspire”.
Kobe!!! @kobebryant Congratulations-you continue to inspire. Elegant speech thanking Vanessa and your daughters also shout out to Molly Carter too. #winning #Lakers #GOAT 🐐 https://t.co/txaEX7bSmL
— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) March 5, 2018
Oklahoma City Thunder player Patrick Patterson tweeted: “One of the GOATs [greatest of all time] just won an Oscar. Such a monumental moment. Congratulations @kobebryant!”
Former pro Caron Butler also tweeted his praise, saying Bryant continues “to raise the bar”.