Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was a professional basketball player who played his entire career for the Los Angeles Lakers. His professional career began with the 1996 NBA draft when the Charlotte Hornets selected Bryant with the 13th overall pick and then traded him to the Lakers. During his 20 years in the NBA, Bryant earned numerous accolades, including regular-season and NBA Finals MVP awards and two gold medals in the Olympics.
Bryant ended his career in 2016. He scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz in his final NBA game. Kobe Bryant died in January 2020 in a helicopter crash. He was one of several passengers, including his daughter Gianna. He was honored with a private funeral in Newport Beach, California, a public memorial service, and an outpouring of people keeping his memory alive.
Bryant was born in Philadelphia but moved to Italy at the age of 6. He returned to the United States in the summer to play basketball. At 13 years old, he moved back to Philadelphia. As of May 15, 2021, Kobe Bryant is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
- Full name: Kobe Bean Bryant
- Birthday: August 23, 1978
- Died: January 26, 2020 (age 41)
- Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Spouse: Vanessa Bryant (married in 2001)
- Children: Natalia, Gianna, Bianka and Capri
- Height: 6’6”
- Nickname: Black Mamba
- High school: Lower Merion in Philadelphia
- Number of NBA Championships: 5
- Position: Shooting guard
- Jersey numbers: 8 and 24
- Net worth: $600 million
Read the latest articles on Kobe Bryant:
The story of how LeBron James thought his Lakers teammates were joking when they informed him of Kobe Bryant’s death on a flight back to LA.
As LeBron James and the Lakers prepare to resume the NBA season, there will be unfair pressure on them to win an NBA title to honor Kobe Bryant.
Former Chicago Bulls standout Scottie Pippen says he believes Kobe Bryant was a better basketball than Michael Jordan.
Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant wouldn’t have won their first NBA title together if not for an epic collapse by the Portland Trail Blazers.
A look back on the famous trade that sent Kobe Bryant from the Hornets to the Lakers for Vlade Divac, a trade that nearly didn’t happen.
24 years after the famed 1996 NBA Draft, a look back on the careers of Kobe Bryant and the 12 players who were selected ahead of him.
Jayson Tatum idolized Kobe Bryant. The young Celtics star gave the Lakers legend a permanent sign of respect thanks to his dog.
Shaquille O’Neal emotionally described his relationship with Kobe Bryant to Jimmy Fallon including the first time they met and the one thing he wishes he could tell his former teammate today.
Kobe Bryant was both extremely confident and extremely rich during his NBA career, and that led to him betting $500,000 on a free throw.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s biggest fear had absolutely nothing to do with playing basketball.
