Kobe Bryant hailed LA Lakers 'greatest ever player' as he retires after 20-year NBA career

One of basketball's biggest stars, Kobe Bryant, has retired from the sport after a career spanning two decades with a stunning final performance.

Kobe Bryant scored 60 points to help the LA Lakers make a dramatic comeback against the Utah Jazz in Los Angeles.His 1,556th and last box score showed a stunning 60 points on 22-for-50 shooting in a 101-96 Lakers victory over the Utah Jazz.

Kobe Bryant(37)spent his entire career with the Lakers, winning five NBA titles and recording the third highest total number of points in the sport.

Tickets for his final match changed hands for up to $27,500 (£19,315).

Kobe Bryant scored 23 points in the fourth quarter to help his team overcome a 15-point deficit to win the game.

Kobe Bryant took a career-high 50 shots in the fifth highest-scoring game of his career.

Addressing the crowd after the game, Kobe Bryant said it was "crazy" to end on such a high note.

Kobe Bryant Career in Numbers

48,576: Minutes played through April 10, 2016, the sixth most in NBA history  

33,570: Career points, third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928)

5,640: Points scored in the NBA Playoffs, third most in NBA history behind Michael Jordan (5,987) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5,762)

81: Points in a 122-104 victory against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006, the second-highest total in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962

50: Twenty-four career 50-point games, third most in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain (118) and Michael Jordan (31)

37: This season he became the first player age 37 or older to score at least 25 points in three straight games since Michael Jordan at 40 in 2003

24: Jersey number beginning in the 2006-07 season after switching from No. 8

20: Seasons with the Lakers, the most with one team in NBA history

18: Consecutive All-Star Game selections (the longest streak in NBA history) and All-Star Game selections overall (the second most all time behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 19)

16: Appearances on Christmas Day, the most in NBA history

15: All-Star Game starts, the most in NBA history

13: Overall selection by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft

11: All-NBA First Team selections, tied with Karl Malone for the most in NBA history

9: NBA All-Defensive First Team selections, tied with Kevin Garnett, Michael Jordan and Gary Payton for the most in NBA history

5: NBA championships, tied with Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs for the highest total among active players

4: All-Star MVP Awards (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011), tied with Bob Pettit for the most in NBA history

2: Finals MVP Awards (2009, 2010)

1: Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award (2007-08)