The over-wrought work of hoops poetry that Kobe Bryant used to announce his retirement from the NBA last November will soon be turned into an animated short film.
“Dear Basketball” will be scored by acclaimed composer John Williams and directed by longtime Disney animator Glen Keane.
The Black Mamba will provide narration.
Per the AP:
The retired L.A. Lakers great announced the project on Thursday, a co-production between Sports Illustrated, Believe Entertainment Group, and Bryant’s new production studio Kobe Studios. The poem served as Bryant’s retirement announcement last year.
Bryant says the film is “the perfect tribute to something I’ve loved so long.”
The short film and a behind the scenes look at the making of the film will premiere on SI.com.
