Kobe ‘Bean’ Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father Joe Bryant, was a former Philadelphia player and always wanted Kobe to take up basketball. Kobe started playing basketball at the age of 3, and his favorite team was the Lakers.
Education and Early Career When he was six years old, his family moved to Italy as his father had to play basketball, leaving the NBA behind. He grew up in the new atmosphere and became fluent in Italian. He also played Football while growing up in Italy and was an enthusiastic supporter of AC Milan. When his father retired in 1991, the family returned to the US, and he joined the Lower Merion High School and played for the varsity basketball team.
In 1996, when he turned 17, Kobe was selected to play for the L.A. Lakers, which was his favorite team from childhood. He became the youngest sports player ever to play in an NBA game at the age of 18.
Career at Los Angeles Lakers Under Coach Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant was paired with Shaquille O’Neal to form one of the most terrific combinations in NBA history. With the two of them giving their best, the team was able to win an impressive 67 matches and grab the 1999-2000 NBA Championship. Again, in the 2000-2001 season, Kobe’s exceptional performance helped the team secure their second consecutive title. In the 2001-2002 season, Kobe played 80 games and averaged 25.2 points in each game and helped his team complete a hat-trick. He was the youngest player at the age of 23, to win three NBA titles consecutively.
In 2009 and 2010 Kobe directed his team to the NBA Championship and eventually won NBA Finals MVP Award. In his second year itself, he was selected to the NBA All-Star Game, and he was the part of every NBA All-Star team henceforth. From being a Lakers fan, Kobe Bryant became one of the greatest legends of the NBA and one of the richest athletes of all time.
Personal Life In November 1999, 21-year-old Kobe met Vanessa, who was a 17-year-old dancer. They began dating almost immediately and got engaged in 2001. His wedding was a private affair and was attended by only close people. The couple had four daughters, Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, and Capri.
Retirement Kobe’s suffered with a lot of injuries, starting with a calf injury in the very first week of the exhibition games of his final tournament. On November 29, 2015, Bryant announced via The Players’ Tribune that he will be retiring at the end of the season. Post-retirement, he won an Academy Award in 2018 for his animated short film “Dear Basketball” while also creating the web series “Detail” for ESPN in which he analyzed current players.
Death and Legacy Kobe Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant, died on January 26, 2020, near Calabasas, California, in an unfortunate helicopter crash. But the legacy he left behind still continues to inspire people because he was able to transmit his mindset, skills, and work ethic to others.
This is a sign of greatness, that one is not only able to achieve it himself but also inspires others to achieve it. A champion has to have courage and a killer instinct. That’s why one of Kobe’s nicknames was the “Black Mamba” named after the poisonous snake. He was considered an “assassin” because he made so many game-winning shots. This attitude is something that a lot of young players continue to gravitate towards even today.