Lakers news: Kobe Bryant named 'Athlete of the Decade'

Kobe Bryant ended his 20-year NBA career with an unforgettable 60 point scoring performance against the Utah Jazz over a month ago now, but just because he is gone from the Los Angeles Lakers doesn't mean he'll be forgotten anytime soon.

Spike TV announced that they were naming Bryant their "Athlete of the Decade" on Thursday, another award to add to his overstuffed closet of them. Bryant is the first-ever recipient of the honor, and will be presented with the award on June 9th at Spike's "Guy's Choice Awards."

"By any measure, Kobe Bryant is a sports legend who exemplifies athletic excellence, world class sportsmanship and stands as one of the greatest to have ever played the game," said Casey Patterson, the executive producer of the event. "Guys Choice is thrilled to be honoring Kobe's remarkable and now legendary 20-year career in basketball."

The show will tape at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California on June 4th and air on the 9th.

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