Kobe Bryant Talks Oscar Win on 'Jimmy Kimmel'
“I’m still tripping about it.”
On Sunday night during the 90th Academy Awards ceremony, NBA legend Kobe Bryant won an Oscar for his animated short, Dear Basketball. Taking some time out from his celebrations, Bryant took the time to sit down with late night host Jimmy Kimmel to discuss his Oscar win. Bryant became the first former NBA player to win an Oscar, and as he told Kimmel, the first African-American to take one home in the best animated short category. “I mean what in the hell,” Bryant, said. “I’m still tripping about it.”
Though Kobe only gave a brief thank you speech thanking his wife and daughter, Kobe told Kimmel what he would have said if he had more time. “How do I carry this night beyond this night? Now, there’s a greater sense of responsibility. How do I provide more opportunities for even more diverse, new voices to be heard in this industry? In the animation business, there is a serious lack of diversity.”
Near the end of the interview, Kimmel gifted Bryant with two miniature Lakers jerseys — one number 8 and one number 24 — for his Oscar statue. The two, however, did not discuss the controversy surrounding Bryant’s Oscar win.
