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:
Unveiled in early February by the Los Angeles Lakers, a statue honoring Kobe Bryant also features a recreation of the score sheet from the night the five-time NBA champion dropped 81 points on the Raptors. However, an eagle-eyed German journalist recently noticed it was marred by four spelling mistakes. Earlier this year, fans gathered in […]
14-year NBA veteran DeMar DeRozan wore Kobe Bryant's signature shoes throughout his entire career. Except for one game. His decision to switch things up led to a hilarious exchange with the late legend. The 34-year-old told the story on Podcast P with Paul George. DeRozan, who grew up in Los Angeles and played for USC, […]
The number 8 jersey has legends in a wide variety of sports.
While Kobe Bryant was a ruthless competitor, he was apparently treated with some kid gloves when he first landed in Hollywood.
Kobe Bryant playing for the Memphis Grizzlies? According to Jerry West, Bryant wanted it to happen.
James Harden is regarded as a poor playoff performer, but this stat tells a different story.
Kobe Bryant wore No. 24 for the most Mamba reason imaginable.
The late great Kobe Bryant was known for his unrelenting ‘Mamba mentality.' While there's no doubt the former Lakers star was tough, this toughness may have been a detriment to the longevity of his NBA career.
Kobe Bryant said Boston Celtics fans treated him the way he expected when he played in Boston for the final time in 2015.
After his time with Michael Jordan came to an end, Kwame Brown wasn't too keen on teaming up with Kobe Bryant. The big man, however, learned a valuable lesson from his new teammate.
