He has officially announced his retirement and the news has been trending all over the world.

As our way of acknowledging the great Kobe Bryant, here are some proofs why Kobe Bryant will forever hold a special place in the heart of Volleywood and in the heart of the entire volleyball world.

He gave Team USA a little pep talk before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

During the 2008 Olympics, he watched the preliminary match between USA and Brazil.

Epic reaction huh?

He also watched some Beach Volleyball matches during the 2008 Olympics.

Thank you FIVB for the images!

He took a pic with Turkey’s Esra Gumus.

#kobebryant #legend #theblackmamba thanx for the all good memories , thanx for inspiration @kobebryant

A photo posted by Esra Gümüş Kırıcı (@esras12) on Nov 30, 2015 at 12:01pm PST

Another pic with American middle blocker Russell Holmes.

It's crazy to think Kobe Bryant will be leaving the game of basketball after the season ends. It was my great pleasure and honor meeting and walking with one of the greatest during the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games. "How many kids can say growing up that they’ll turn pro and play for their favorite team in the world and spend your entire career there? It’s been a dream." – Kobe Bryant #kobebryant #lakers #teamusa #london2012 #olympics #olympicgames #kobe #nba @lakers @nba @usavolleyball @teamusa @teamusabasketball #openingceremony @kobebryant #alltime #legend

A photo posted by Russell Holmes (@russellholmes12) on Nov 30, 2015 at 9:43am PST

In case you missed it, below is Kobe’s poetic way of letting the world know about his decision.

Dear Basketball,

From the moment
I started rolling my dad’s tube socks
And shooting imaginary
Game-winning shots
In the Great Western Forum
I knew one thing was real:

I fell in love with you.

A love so deep I gave you my all —
From my mind & body
To my spirit & soul.

As a six-year-old boy
Deeply in love with you
I never saw the end of the tunnel.
I only saw myself
Running out of one.

And so I ran.
I ran up and down every court
After every loose ball for you.
You asked for my hustle
I gave you my heart
Because it came with so much more.

I played through the sweat and hurt
Not because challenge called me
But because YOU called me.
I did everything for YOU
Because that’s what you do
When someone makes you feel as
Alive as you’ve made me feel.

You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream
And I’ll always love you for it.
But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer.
This season is all I have left to give.
My heart can take the pounding
My mind can handle the grind
But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.

And that’s OK.
I’m ready to let you go.
I want you to know now
So we both can savor every moment we have left together.
The good and the bad.
We have given each other
All that we have.

And we both know, no matter what I do next
I’ll always be that kid
With the rolled up socks
Garbage can in the corner
:05 seconds on the clock
Ball in my hands.
5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1

Love you always,
Kobe