Kobe Bryant will play his final NBA game Wednesday - here are 20 photos that celebrate his legacy

REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

Bryant dunks against the Phoenix Suns during Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Finals in 2010.

This Wednesday night, Kobe Bryant will step onto the court to play his last ever NBA game. During his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant has, without a doubt, become one of the top athletes to ever play the game of basketball.

He has five NBA championships under his belt, an MVP trophy, and he has been selected as an All-Star 18 times. He's currently the third-highest scoring player in history.

Last November, Bryant announced in a letter published by The Player's Tribune that this season would be his last.

"My heart can take the pounding, my mind can handle the grind, but my body knows it's time to say goodbye. And that's OK," Bryant wrote in his farewell letter to basketball. "I'm ready to let you go."

After his last road game on Monday, Bryant told the press, "I grew up a die-hard Laker fan. It's like a dream come true, for a kid to grow up, play for his favorite team and play here for 20 years, his entire career. I've seen the city grow. I've seen the city develop and vice versa. There's no place I'd rather end my career."

Wednesday's home game against the Utah Jazz will surely be an emotionally charged game for Bryant. Tickets to attend are priced from $800 all the way up to $29,200.

Scroll below to see a selection of photos highlighting Bryant's impressive career.

Jack Sommer wrote an earlier version of this story.