Kobe Bryant Biography 

One of the most noted players in the NBA, Kobe Bryant is a shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. While his career has had many statistical highlights and record-setting milestones, all that has been overshadowed by a high profile accusation in 2003 that he had raped a young Colorado woman.

Kobe Bean Bryant was born August 23, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the youngest of three children to parents Joe Bryant and Pam Bryant.

Bryant’s father (also a professional basketball player) decided to relocate the family to Italy when Bryant was only six. While in Italy, Joe continued to play basketball professionally, and Bryant picked up much of Italian culture. He not only speaks Italian fluently, but he also developed a deep love of soccer. Had he not entered the NBA, Bryant was seriously considering a career in soccer. His favorite team is FC Barcelona, led by one of the most noted names in international soccer, Ronaldinho.

By 1991, Bryant was back in the States where he attended Lower Merion High School. Although his tremendous skill and decent grades would have earned him a full ride to any college, Bryant opted instead to go straight to the NBA. Had he attended college, he has stated that he would have gone to Duke University.

In the 1996 draft, Bryant was picked up by the Hornets but drew the attention of Lakers GM Jerry West. West worked out the details, and two weeks later, Bryant was on the Lakers in a trade that involved Vlade Divac. His first two seasons were marked by flashy wins at the Slam Dunk Contest but the inexperience necessary to secure a championship.

But everything aligned at the right moment when Phil Jackson became the new coach for the Lakers just as Bryant matured. Under Jackson’s leadership, Shaquille ONeal and Bryant were able to make use of their talent, evidenced by three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.

2003 saw Bryant earn amazing statistics but the team choke in the playoffs. To make another run at the title, the Lakers added basketball greats Karl Malone and Gary Payton. They did manage to reach the final game but ultimately lost to the Pistons in game five.

2003 would also be a difficult time for Bryant as allegations emerged from a Colorado woman, Katelyn Faber, that he had sexually assaulted her. The media coverage swarmed around the issue, and Bryant lost almost all his major endorsements from Nutella to McDonald’s. Although the judge dismissed the case in 2004 and an unknown amount of money changed hands, Bryant’s image was severely tarnished, perhaps irreparably.

Bryant’s disappointing performance as well as that of the Lakers in 2004 reflected the turmoil surrounding the team.

2005 wouldn’t bring the Lakers a championship, but it would reunite ONeal, Jackson, and Bryant. It would also mark Bryant’s most statistically phenomenal year. In particular, Bryant is remembered for his game against the Raptors in which he scored 81 of their 122 points. On this day, he came amazingly close to matching Wilt Chamberlain’s historic 100 point game.

2006 was Bryant’s year of high scoring games as he accrued a streak of four 50 plus point games. It placed him in the company of men such as Michael Jordan and Elgin Baylor.

In recent news, Bryant secured his place as the youngest player to reach 20,000 cumulative career points. He achieved the feat on May 27, 2007.

In his personal life, Bryant married Vanessa Laine on April 18, 2001. They have two children, and they are still together even through the assault allegations and settlement.

Previous to his marriage, he was rumored to have been involved with Brandy, Jameika Williams, Beyonce Knowles, and Tyra Banks.