From 1996 to 2016, Kobe Bryant was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, an NBA team. He was a fantastic on-ball defender and is known for his fierce competitiveness and ability to make clutch shots that won games. His legendary “Black Mamba” attacks—which can kill seven with a single bite—and style of play earned him the nickname. Kobe tragically passed away in early 2020 in a helicopter crash. Everyone around the globe was shocked and saddened by this tragedy, and the basketball community was no exception. For millions of aspiring athletes, he was a role model. Everyone agrees that he was a game-changer and one of the game’s all-time great scorers.

When Was Kobe Bryant Born?

Joe Bryant, a former NBA player, and Pamela Cox Bryant welcomed their only son, Kobe, into the world on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia. Bryant was the youngest of three children. His Japanese name comes from the world-famous Kobe steak. After his father retired from the NBA, he proceeded to play professional basketball in Italy, where he spent his childhood.

He became proficient in Italian, frequently traveled to the United States to play in summer leagues, and his grandfather sent him NBA game tapes so he could study. He had the opportunity to play for his childhood favorite team, the Lakers, during his professional career. At the age of thirteen, he returned to Philadelphia and enrolled at Lower Merion High School.

Career

In the 1996 NBA Draft, the Lakers selected Kobe Bryant with the thirteenth overall pick.

To make room on the salary cap to offer center Shaquille O’Neal a contract, the Lakers were considering trading starter center Vlade Divac for the draft rights to a player. The top scout for the Charlotte Hornets at the time, Bill Branch, stated that the Hornets had agreed the day before the draft to trade the No. 13 choice to the Lakers. His style of play brought to recall Michael Jordan.

In his early years in the NBA, he struggled to adapt, but he never lost his hunger. Michael recognized Kobe’s determination and helped him find his path. During the 1999–2002 Lakers era, when great coach Phil Jackson oversaw the team’s historic three-peat, Kobe had his first taste of triumph. Even though he and Shaq had a falling out, they put their enmity aside and finally resolved their dispute on a TV show.

Both his teammates and the fans held Kobe in high esteem. Seeing him dive for every lost ball, make tough shots, and create memories for people seeing him for the first time allowed him to absorb the work ethic of the locals. He had a reputation for being decisive and dependable when things mattered.

The absence of Shaq and a few other essential players after the first three-peat made it difficult for the Lakers to repeat as champions. The Lakers had a rough go of it until 2009, when they brought in some quality players like Pau Gasol and a group of young players who looked up to Kobe as role models. Kobe won his fifth title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010. In a lighthearted manner, he expressed his joy at having one more championship than Shaq.

Kobe Bryant’s Wife

Tragically, NBA star Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash after being married to Vanessa Bryant for 19 years.

Kobe Bryant’s Height and Weight

A height of 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters) was the official measurement for Kobe Bryant.

Kobe Bryant Net Worth

His wealth was approximately $600 million when he passed away. He is pretty well-endorsed and has several investments. One of his significant ventures is Body Armour, and he approaches business the same way he does on the basketball court: by analyzing the situation and seeing what changes he can bring.

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