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• Date of birth: August 23, 1978
• School: Lower Merion HS (PA)
• Drafted: 1st Round Pick, 13th - Charlotte
• Current Team: Los Angelos Lakers
• Ht: 6'7"
• Position; Guard
• Kobe was named after a "Kobe" steak listed on the menu of a Japanese restaurant or, depending on the source, was named for the Japanese Restaurant itself.
• His mother's name is Pamela Bryant.
• He has two sisters, Sharia and Shaya.
• Kobe's father, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, played eight seasons in the NBA, for the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Houston Rockets. Joe scored a career high 34 points for the 80- 81 Clippers and averaged 8.7 points in 606 games.
• Kobe is fluent in Italian after spending eight childhood years in Italy, where father Joe was finishing his pro career.
• Kobe owns a professional Italian league basketball team.
• High School Coach: Gregg Downer.
• Kobe took pop music start Brandy to his high school prom.
• In May, 2000, Kobe became engaged to Vanessa Laine, a senior at Marina High School.
• In April, 2001, Kobe married Vanessa Laine in a private ceremony at Dana Point, CA.

Career Highlights

USA Today Nat'l HS Player of the Year 1996 Parade Nat'l HS Player of the Year 1996 Naismith Prep Player of the Year 1996 Gatorade HS Player of the Year 1996 McDonald's All-America Team NBA Debut 11/3/96 vs Minn. - Age: 18 yrs, 2 mo Slam Dunk Champion 1997 as rookie 1st Start: 1/28/97 vs Dall. - 12 pts Youngest All-Star in History: 1998 - 18 pts Rookie Game record 31 pts 1997 All-Star Game MVP 2002 NBA All-Defensive First-Team 1999-00 Career High 56 pts vs Memphis 1/14/02 Career High 15 assists vs Wash. 2/12/02 3 NBA Titles, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2001- 02 Improved PPG & APG each season 96-97 - 00-01

Kobe Bryant Gallery

Kobe Bryant Quiz

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