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American basketball player Kobe Bryant was widely celebrated as one of basketball's all-time greats. His luminous professional career included five NBA championship wins with the Los Angeles Lakers, 18 All-Star selections, and two straight seasons (2005–06 and 2006–07) atop the league's scoring charts. He retired following the last regular-season game of the 2015–2016 season. On January 26, 2020, Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash while traveling with his 13-year-old daughter to a girls basketball game.
Facts
Also Known As | Kobe Bean Bryant • Black Mamba |
---|---|
Born | August 23, 1978 • Philadelphia • Pennsylvania |
Died | January 26, 2020 (aged 41) • Calabasas • California |
Awards And Honors | Olympic Games • Basketball Hall of Fame (2020) • Most Valuable Player (2008) • 18x NBA All-Star selections • 2x NBA scoring champion • 5x NBA champion • 15x All-NBA selections • 12x All-Defensive selections • 4x NBA All-Star Game MVP • 2x NBA Finals MVP • NBA Most Valuable Player (2007–08) • selected for NBA All-Rookie team, 1996–97 |
Notable Family Members | son of Joe Bryant • son of Pamela Bryant • married to Vanessa Laine Bryant (m. 2001) • father of Natalia Diamante Bryant (b. 2003) • father of Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant (b. 2006) • father of Bianka Bella Bryant (b. 2016) • father of Capri Kobe Bryant (b. 2019) • brother of Sharia Bryant • brother of Shaya Bryant |
Education | Lower Merion High School (Ardmore, Pennsylvania) |
Height | 6 ft 6 inches (198 cm) |
Weight | 212 lb (96 kg) |
Team | Los Angeles Lakers |
Draft | Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round (13th pick, 13th overall) of the 1996 NBA draft. |
Trades | Traded by the Charlotte Hornets to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac on July 11, 1996. |
Debut In Nba | November 3, 1996 |
Position | small forward, shooting guard |
Shoots | right-handed |
Jersey Number | 24 (Los Angeles Lakers, 2007–2016) • 8 (Los Angeles Lakers, 1997–2006) |
Olympic Games Attended | London 2012 • Beijing 2008 |
Olympic Medals | gold in men's basketball (London 2012) • gold in men's basketball (Beijing 2008) |
Games Played | 1346 |
Points Per Game | 25.0 |
Rebounds Per Game | 5.2 |
Assists Per Game | 4.7 |
Field Goal Percentage | 44.7 |
3-Point Field Goal Percentage | 32.9 |
Free Throw Percentage | 83.7 |
Twitter Handle | @kobebryant |
Instagram Username | kobebryant |
Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In) | "The 19th Annual Animation Show of Shows" (2017) • "Daddy's Home" (2015) • "Bette" (2000) • "Moesha" (1996) |
Movies/Tv Shows (Writing/Creator) | "Detail" (2018–2019) • "Dear Basketball" (short; 2017) |
Published Works | "The Mamba Mentality: How I Play" (2018) |
Albums | "K.O.B.E." (2000) |
Top Questions
Which team did Kobe Bryant play for?
Kobe Bryant spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers after being traded by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 only a month after the Hornets had drafted him.
How many championships did Kobe Bryant win?
Kobe Bryant won five NBA championships (2000–02 and 2009–10).
Where did Kobe Bryant go to school?
Kobe Bryant attended Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
When was Kobe Bryant drafted?
Kobe Bryant was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick of the 1996 draft, but he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers a month later for center Vlade Divac.
How tall is Kobe Bryant?
Kobe Bryant stood 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) tall.
When did Kobe Bryant retire?
Kobe Bryant retired in 2016, finishing a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
How many MVPs did Kobe Bryant win?
Kobe Bryant won the league's MVP in 2008 as well as the NBA Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010.
Did Kobe Bryant play in the Olympics?
Kobe Bryant won two gold medals as part of the U.S. men’s basketball team at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Did You Know?
- Bryant was the first guard to be drafted into the NBA straight out of high school.
- Bryant finished his basketball career with a total of 33,643 points in the regular season, placing him behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (with 38,387 points) and Karl Malone (with 36,928 points) on the scoring charts until LeBron James surpassed Bryant the day before the latter's death in January 2020.
- Bryant, who spent part of his childhood living in Italy, spoke fluent Italian and gave occasional interviews in Spanish; his linguistic exploits also included forays into French and Mandarin, among other languages.
Photos and Videos
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert in basketball and have in-depth knowledge of the sport, its history, players, and significant events. I have closely followed the careers of numerous basketball legends, including Kobe Bryant, and can provide detailed information about his life, career, achievements, and impact on the sport. My expertise extends to various aspects of basketball, including player statistics, team dynamics, and the cultural significance of the sport.
Kobe Bryant: An Iconic Basketball Player
Kobe Bryant, also known as "Black Mamba," was an American basketball player widely celebrated as one of the all-time greats in the sport. His professional career was marked by numerous achievements and accolades, solidifying his legacy as a basketball icon.
Early Life and Career:
- Kobe Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
- He was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 1996 NBA draft and was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent his entire 20-year NBA career.
NBA Career and Achievements:
- Bryant's illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers included five NBA championship wins, 18 All-Star selections, and two straight seasons (2005–06 and 2006–07) atop the league's scoring charts.
- He retired following the last regular-season game of the 2015–2016 season, leaving a lasting impact on the sport and its fans.
Personal Life and Legacy:
- Bryant's legacy extends beyond his on-court achievements, as he was also a devoted family man, husband to Vanessa Laine Bryant, and father to four daughters.
- Tragically, on January 26, 2020, Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others, was killed in a helicopter crash while traveling to a girls' basketball game, leaving a profound impact on the basketball community and beyond.
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