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:
Michael Jordan might be the most feared athlete ever, but Rip Hamilton said Kobe Bryant was the only player in the NBA who scared him.
Kobe Bryant’s competitiveness wouldn’t allow him to be shown up by a poker champion who was dropping thousands of dollars on champagne.
While Michael Jordan was never the most approachable person, Kobe Bryant won over His Airness using one specific strategy.
Months after it was learned LA County deputies took personal photos at the Kobe Bryant crash scene, no one has been punished. Vanessa Bryant is suing the department.
A look at a dream team that would include only those who played for former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson.
In a recent conversation with Kentucky head coach John Calipari, Charles Barkley listed his top five NBA players of all time.
Kobe Bryant had numerous cameras following him during his final season and now there are discussions a documentary similar to The Last Dance might be coming.
The late Kobe Bryant never stopped on the court. His hustle sometimes meant flying into the stands after loose balls. After one incident, an injured fan sued Bryant and won.
Shaquille O’Neal told Conan O’Brien about the pain he’s endured since the recent death of his sister and Kobe and how watching 2020 Hall of Fame ceremony will be too painful to watch.
You were never going to see Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan sharing a tee time.
