Wissenswertes

Only basketball player to ever win an Oscar.

Made his debut at 18 years, 2 months and 11 days old, the youngest player ever to appear in an NBA game (3 November 1996)

Scored 1,080 on his SATs

On 22 January 2006, Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the second-highest single-game scoring output by a player in NBA history, second only to Wilt Chamberlain's legendary 100 points on 2 March 1962. Bryant achieved his feat by converting 28 of 46 field goals (including 7 of 13 3-pointers), and making 18 of 20 free throws.

Met his wife, Vanessa Bryant, during a visit to the set of one of Snoop Dogg's video, where she was working as a model.

Scored 60 points in his final game (April 2016).

As of 2018, the only person to win an Olympic Medal (he won Gold twice for playing in the US Men's basketball team in 2008 and 2012) and an Oscar (He won for "Best Animated Short" in 2018).

Widow, Vanessa Bryant, is half-Irish and half-Mexican.

From ages 6-13, he lived in Italy, where his father continued his basketball career. Was fluent in Italian.

Bryant became the youngest starter to in in NBA history when he was voted a starter in for the Western Conference Team in the 1998 NBA All-Star Game (1998). Bryant led the West Team in scoring with 18 points in his first of many appearances in the leagues midseason showcase event.

Once scored 50-Points four games in a row during his career.

Once scored 40-Points 9 games in a row during his career.

Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets out of high school in 1996, and was traded on Thursday, July 11th, 1996, to the Los Angeles Lakers for taller center, Vlade Divac.

Colorado judge dismisses all rape charges. Kobe writes a letter of apology to accuser and her parents, but admits no wrongdoing. Civil trial still pending. (September 2004)

His father, Joe Bryant, averaged 8.7 points per game in 606 career games in the NBA.

Won the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Competition.

Drafted out of Lower Merion High School as the 13th pick by the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte then traded Bryant's signing rights to the Los Angeles Lakers for center Vlade Divac (26 June 1996).

Had 4 daughters: Natalia Bryant (b. January 19, 2003), Gianna Bryant (May 1, 2006 - January 26, 2020), Bianka Bryant (b. December 5, 2016) & Capri Bryant (b. June 20, 2019) with wife, Vanessa Bryant.

Bryant was the all-time leading scorer in Southeastern Pennsylvania schoolboy history with 2,883 points, breaking the marks of Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain (2,359 points) and former St. Joseph's player Carlin Warley (2,441 points).

In November 2009, he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the Los Angeles Lakers' all-time scorers list, putting him in second place behind only Jerry West.

NBA All-Star 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002.

He is buried with Gianna at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar, California.

His parents named him after a type of steak (Kobe) seen on a restaurant menu prior to his birth.

Scored six 60 point games during his career.

10 million people in China tuned in to watch his final game in the NBA.

Brandy Norwood was his date for his High School prom.

Before Bryant's final game, Jeanie Buss, the Executive vice president of The Los Angeles Lakers, presented him and his wife Vanessa with commemorative rings. The rings each had five large diamonds symbolizing the five championships he helped the Lakers win plus 20 smaller diamonds symbolizing his 20 years with the same team.

Won three NBA championships, was voted league MVP, and won an Olympic gold medal all by the time he was 30 years old. (In fact, the day he and the U.S. Basketball team won the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China was his 30th birthday.).

In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his salary for the year to be $33 million.

Was named MVP of the 2002 NBA All-Star Game (2002).

Selected by USA Today and Parade Magazine as the National High School Player of the Year as a senior at Lower Merion H.S. He was also named Naismith Player of the Year, Gatorade Circle of Champions High School Player of the Year and to the McDonald's All-America Team.

Married his wife Vanessa at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, California.

Had two older sisters, Sharia Byrant, and Shaya Bryant.

Won the 2001 and 2002 Teens Choice Award for favorite male athlete.

In September 2005, he participated in a NBA fund-raising basketball game for hurricane Katrina victims. He also visited Katrina victims in New Orleans.

Signed a 2 year contract extension with the Lakers for a reported $48.5 million in 2013.

In September 2016, his net worth was an estimated $280 million.

The Charlotte Hornets traded him in 1996 to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for center Vlade Divac. Divac who at the time was already in the league for 7 years, remained a 2nd rate journeyman center in the NBA. Bryant became a Hall of Fame guard and was often compared to Michael Jordan.

Announced his retirement from the NBA (DEC 2015).

Sadly Bryant and his 13 year-old daughter Gianna along with seven others were killed in a helicopter crash. The chopper was a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter owned by Bryant and had taken off from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California.

On Saturday, July 27, 1996, signed his first pro contract.

His wife changed her name from Vanessa Cornejo Urbieta Laine to Vanessa Marie Bryant (29 May 2002).

Led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010.

Graduated with the class of '96 from Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA.

The civil lawsuit was settled for undisclosed amount [September 2004].

Hired criminal defense attorney, Pamela Mackey to defend him against rape charges.

Recorded a song with Tyra Banks called "K.O.B.E." This song was released as a single, but the full album was never released.

Due in large part to his public feud with his former LA teammate Shaquille O'Neal, a game between the Miami Heat and the LA Lakers has become a recent Christmas Day tradition.

Tore his Achilles tendon in 2013.

Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020. Induction ceremony was postponed until May 2021 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.