Retired American basketball star, Kobe Bryant on Sunday bagged an Oscar Award by winning the ‘Best Short Film (Animated)’ Award for the movie, ‘Dear Basketball’.He wrote and produced the movie which is his first attempt.

The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer said the award was a bigger thrill than the victories and accolades he received while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I feel better than winning the championship, to be honest with you. To be here right now and to have like ….a sense of validation is….this is crazy, man. It’s crazy,” Bryant told news media backstage after receiving the award.

‘Dear Basketball’ which is based on the 2015 poem written in honour of America’s National Basketball Association greats was published on the player’s Tribune website. Bryant narrated the five – minute film which was directed by Glen Keane and scored by Oscar Winner, John Williams.

Bryant, who played 20 seasons in the NBA, started his own production studio, Kobe Studios after retirement, seeking advice and guidance from Oprah Winfrey and TV producer, Shonda Rhines before doing so.