Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant (full name Kobe Bean Bryant) was born on August 23, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He is an American All-Star shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.
He is the youngest child and only son of Joe and Pam Bryant (they also have two daughters, Shaya and Sharia). When he was six years old he moved with his family in Italy and he started to play soccer at his first favorite team AC Milan but he renounced when he returned in United States in 1991.
He attended Lower Merion High School in the Philadelphia suburb of Lower Merion and won a basketball scholarship to various top-tier colleges and decided
to go Duke University but at just 17 years old went directly to NBA.
In his first season he played for Charlotte Hornets and was picked 13th overall. 1997 was a good year for him because he signed with LA Lakers in exchange with Vlade Divac and also slam-dunked his way during the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend, by winning the Slam Dunk Championship.
His fame increased because he became a top player when in 1999 Phil Jackson became the coach of LA Lakers. Near Shaquille O'Neil he won for three consecutive years the championship in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
In 2003 Malone and Payton signed with Lakers but this new team full of stars lost the final against Detroit Pistons in five games. In 2003 Katelyn Faber, a woman from Colorado accused him by sexual rape.
Trivia :
- Height: 198cm
- He is married from 2001 with Vanessa Laine Bryant and they have two children.
- He became MVP of the 2002 NBA All-Star Game.
- He speaks fluent Italian.
NBA Records :
Most three-point field goals made, one game: 12 January 7, 2003 vs. Seattle SuperSonics; shared with Donyell Marshall
Most three-point field goals made, one half: 8 March 28, 2003 vs. Washington Wizards; shared with 5 players
Most consecutive three-point field goals made, one game: 9 January 7, 2003 vs. Seattle SuperSonics; shared with Latrell Sprewell and Ben Gordon
Most free throws made, one quarter: 14 3rd quarter, December 20, 2005 vs. Dallas Mavericks; shared with 5 players
Most free throws attempted, one quarter: 16 3rd quarter, December 20, 2005 vs. Dallas Mavericks; shared with 6 players.
