Information about Kobe Bryant?
When Kobe made the varsity at Lower Merion High School as a
freshman, he selected the number of his idol, Magic Johnson. He had
to switch to #33 in 1995-96, because he outgrew the other
jersey.
Kobe and Shaquille O'Neal were both named First Team All-NBA
after the 2001-02 season. They became the first tandem to be
honored as such since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in
1996.
Kobe's 56-point game against the Grizzlies in January of 2002
was the highest total ever recorded by any of the 20+ players who
have gone directly from high school to the NBA. He bettered that
mark in January of 2002 when he scored 81 points against the
Toronto Raptors.
Kobe was one of four Lakers to make the 1998 All-Star
squad-Shaquille O'Neal, Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel were the
others. The last time four teammates made the game was in 1983,
when Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Maurice Cheeks and Andrew Toney
of the 76ers were selected.
Kobe's nine-game scoring streak of at least 40 points per game
in 2003 matched one of equal length by Michael Jordan in the
1986-87 campaign.
Kobe had five triple-doubles in 2002-03 and five more in
2004-05
In 2004-05, Kobe hit 43 free throws in a row to break Gail
Goodrich's team record of 40.
In 2004-05, Kobe became the youngest player to score 14,000
points, surpassing Michael Jordan.
Kobe's 2,832 points in 2005-06 was the seventh-highest total in
history. Only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan have scored
more.
Kobe led the NBA in free throws made in 2005-06.
Kobe was named First Team All-NBA and First Team All-Defensive
for the fourth time each in 2006.
Kobe changed from #8 to #24 before the 2006-07 season.
Had the Bryants remained in Europe, Kobe says he would have gone
into pro soccer. He rooted for AC Milan while licing in Italy.
Kobe got his name from a Japanese steakhouse in the Philadelphia
suburb of King of Prussia. His father liked the sound of the
name.
Kobe's favorite video as a kid was "NBA Showmen," which
highlighted some of basketball's all-time greats.
Kobe has incredible basketball bloodlines. His mom's brother,
John "Chubby" Cox, played in the NBA.
Kobe made his first legit dunk at the age of 14.
Kobe took R&B star Brandy to his senior prom. He later
played the role of a basketball star on her show, "Moesha."
Kobe married Vanessa Laine in April of 2001. They met while she
was still in high school. Kobe and Vanessa had their first child,
Natalia, in 2003. Their second daughter, Gianna Maria-Onore, was
born on May 1, 2006-six minutes ahead of Shaquille O'Neal's
daughter Me'arah Sanaa.
Kobe breaks in a new pair of basketball shoes every three or
four games.
Kobe develops new moves in the off-season by playing against his
shadow.