Kobe: The Making of a Legend: Release date, what to expect, and more explored

Basketball fans and admirers of Kobe Bryant’s incredible journey are in for a special treat as CNN premieres its highly anticipated documentary series, Kobe: The Making of a Legend, on Saturday, January 25, at 9 PM ET/PT.

This three-part documentary series takes an intimate and inspiring look at the life of one of basketball’s most celebrated icons, offering fresh insights and never-before-heard stories about his journey.

What to expect

From the context of the series, fans should brace themselves for much more than the blow-by-blow account of what Kobe Bryant achieved on the basketball court.

This series focuses on how he was off the basketball court and his famous "Mamba Mentality". Viewers around the globe will be taken from Kobe’s early years in Italy to a dedicated athlete striving to be drafted into the NBA.

The documentary will also delve into how he changed after leaving the basketball court. Fans will see what his goals were off the court when he worked as a storyteller, how passionate he was as a father, and how he took the same intensity he played the game with into his new career.

Viewers can look forward to interviews with Kobe’s friends, teammates, former coaches, and family friends as they tell compelling, behind-the-scenes stories from the star’s life.

Fans will see NBA All-Star Jalen Brunson, and NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady narrating the story through their eyes with WNBA Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes, and former Lakers head athletic trainer Gary Vitti.

A deeper look: More explored

The difference between Kobe: The Making of a Legend from other forms of narration does not primarily lie in the fact that it tells of Kobe’s triumphs, but in the fact that it reveals what he had to overcome on the road to becoming who he was.

Starting with the cultural changes during his development period in Italy to fighting with injuries and personal life challenges during his playing period, the documentary presents insights into factors that made Kobe who he was.

This series was produced five years after the untimely death of Kobe. The series, which unfolds the real story of magic and talent that marked his career on the basketball court, Executive Producer Eric Johnson in a statement added,

“While his legendary career on the court is widely celebrated, this series explores some of the lesser-known dimensions of his life. We’re proud to present a deeper, more nuanced portrait of Kobe and the complicated journey that shaped his legacy."

When and where to watch

This series will first be aired on CNN on January 25, 2025, at 9 PM for the Eastern and Pacific time zones. For those who will not be able to tune in live, the episodes will be available for SVOD on the CNN website, the CNN app for connected TV and mobile, and Cable Operator Platforms from, Sunday, January 26.

More information about CNN Originals and Warner Bros. Discovery

With a legacy of producing high-quality documentaries such as Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown and the Emmy-nominated Decades series, CNN Originals remains to bring in the viewers relevance, and quality information.

Being a network of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., CNN produces programs meant to help people learn and be inspired by what is happening in the world.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a basketball fan or someone drawn to stories of perseverance and greatness, you could tune in on January 25 to watch Kobe: The Making of a Legend. The series does not only describe the game but also gives the audience an account of the man behind the basketball star.

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