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20 Amazing Facts about Kobe Bryant

*Originally published by Cyndi K in March 2022 Updated by Vanessa in May 2023 and Updated by Ian. S in January 2024

Born on 23rd, August 1978, Kobe Bryant was an American professional basketball player. His full name was Kobe Bean Bryant, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As a professional basketball player, he helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) to five different championships.

He passed on January 26th, 2020 alongside his daughter after being involved in a helicopter crash that saw 9 people dead.

Kobe Bryant and Daughter Tribute- Photo by Janine Robinson on Unsplash

1. Bryant started playing basketball when he was 3 years old

A basketball- Photo by Joakim Honkasalo on

Being the son of the former NBA player, Joe Bryant, he naturally followed in the footsteps of his father.

Kobe Bryant started playing when he was only 3 years old and the Lakers were his favorite team growing up.

When he was 6 six years old, his father retired from the NBA but moved his family to Italy to continue playing professional basketball.

2. Tried doing hip-hop at one time

Street art- Photo by Ben Wiens on

In 2000 January, Kobe Bryant released a hip-hop single called, “K.O.BE,” with Sony Entertainment.

He was featured rapping about his love for basketball, beats, and broads and Tyra Banks did fit the hook of his single.

There were plans underway to have his album, “Visions,” be released later in the spring of that year. Bryant however was dropped after he refused to sell out.

3. He was named after a steak

An image of a steak- Photo by Jose Ignacio Pompe on

Kobe’s father, Joe Bryant named his son after the expensive and known Japanese cut of beef, “Kobe Beef,” after seeing it on a menu.

When he became known and his brand name blew up, Bryant sued the Japanese city of Kobe in 2010, for the right to rename their signature product.

While the city of Kobe had been around longer than him, he decided to sue it because he had become more famous and influential and his brand could easily be threatened.

4. Kobe Spoke Italian fluently

When he was 6 years old, his father retired from the NBA and moved his family to Rieti, Italy to continue playing. After two years, they moved around from Calabria to Pistoia then to Reggio Emilia.

He quickly became accustomed to his new lifestyle and learned to speak fluent Italian. He began playing basketball while living in Reggio Emilio where his grandfather would mail him videos of NBA games for him to study.

5. Cornerstone of the Lakers

A Lakers Jersey- Photo by Olivier Collet on

He was selected 13th overall by the ‘Charlotte Hornets’ in the 1996 NBA draft. He and his then-teammate, Shaquille O’Neal, led the Lakers to 3 consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.

After his teammate was traded to Miami the following season of 2003-2004, Bryant became the foundation of the Lakers.

6. He coined the term “Mamba Mentality” to describe his approach to basketball and life – a relentless pursuit of excellence

Kobe coined the term “Mamba Mentality” to encapsulate his approach to both basketball and life. The term reflects a mindset of relentless determination, a fierce work ethic, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence.

Inspired by the black mamba, a snake known for its agility and aggressiveness, Bryant adopted the Mamba Mentality as a guiding philosophy throughout his career.

It signifies resilience in the face of challenges, a commitment to continuous improvement, and a willingness to push beyond limits.

This mindset became synonymous with Kobe Bryant’s legacy, influencing athletes across various sports and standing as a testament to his enduring impact beyond the basketball court.

7. Kobe Bryant was an 81-pointer

Bryant- London 2012, the Olympic Games- Author; Robbie Dale-

He led the NBA in scoring during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons. In ’06, he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, making it the second-highest number of points scored in a game in the history of the NBA.

8. He won two Olympic gold medals

Bryant won two Olympic gold medals. The legendary basketball player achieved this feat as a key member of the United States men’s basketball team.

He secured his first gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and then went on to win another gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

Bryant’s contributions to Team USA showcased his exceptional skills on the international stage, further solidifying his status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

9. He was awarded MVP awards

He was awarded the Most Valued Player (MVP) award in the 2007-2008 season and led his team to the 2008 NBA finals.

As a member of the U.S. men’s basketball team, he was a two-time Olympic gold medalist: first in the 2008 Summer Olympics, then with the 2012 Summer Olympics team.

He additionally led the lake to 2 more championships in 2009 and 2010. He won the final MVP award on both of these occasions.

10. Bryant was the first guard to be drafted into the NBA straight from high school

Art piece of Kobe Bryant- Photo by Dean Bennet on Unsplash

Kobe Bryant earned national recognition during his high school career at his high school located in Lower Merion, Philadelphia.

He played basketball as a freshman and became the first freshman in decades to start for Lower Merion’s varsity team, the Aces. The team however finished with a 4-20 record.

In the following 3 years, however, the Aces compiled a 77-13 record with Bryant playing all five positions. In his junior year, he averaged 31.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.8 blocks, and 2.3 steals, making him named Pennsylvania player of the year.

This made him attract so much attention from college recruiters. However, he started contemplating going directly into the NBA, which he ultimately did.

It made him the 6th player in NBA history to do so. In 2012, he was honored as one of the 35 greatest  McDonald’s All-Americans for his high school play and his later accomplishments.

11. Kobe became the youngest player ever to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest at 18 years

In 1997, as an 18-year-old rookie with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant wowed the crowd and judges with his gravity-defying dunks to become the youngest player ever to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

At the time, he was 18 years and 169 days old, a record that still stands today. His impressive performance, including an iconic between-the-legs dunk, cemented his status as a rising star.

12. Kobe became the youngest All-Star starter in NBA history at the age of 19 in 1998

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Bryant became the youngest All-Star starter in NBA history at the age of 19 in 1998. His remarkable ascent into the starting lineup reflected the rapid recognition of his exceptional skills and impact on the game.

At that time, Bryant, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, had already displayed a level of talent and maturity beyond his years, earning the respect of fans and peers alike.

This historic achievement marked the beginning of a stellar All-Star career for Kobe Bryant, highlighting his influence on the league from an early stage in his iconic basketball journey.

13. He graced the cover of the NBA 2K10 video game

Kobe Bryant was featured on the cover of the NBA 2K10 video game, a 2009 basketball simulation developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K.

The game, released in October and November 2009 for platforms like Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, and Wii, marked the eleventh installment in the NBA 2K series.

Serving as the successor to NBA 2K9 and paving the way for NBA 2K11, it showcased Kobe Bryant, the iconic player from the Los Angeles Lakers, as its cover athlete.

This installment continued the franchise’s legacy of delivering realistic basketball experiences to gaming enthusiasts.

14. He ranked fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list at the time of his retirement in 2016

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Kobe Bryant ranked fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list at the time of his retirement in 2016 behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Marlone and LeBron James . With a career spanning two decades, Kobe showcased his scoring prowess with the Los Angeles Lakers.

His final game in April 2016 solidified his status as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.

At retirement, he held the fourth position on the all-time scoring list with 33,643 points, a testament to his incredible contribution to the sport and his iconic place in basketball history.

15. Bryant was selected for the NBA All-Star game 18 times during his career

Bryant was selected for the NBA All-Star game an impressive 18 times during his illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

His All-Star appearances spanned from 1998 to 2016, showcasing his enduring excellence and popularity among fans and fellow players.

Bryant’s All-Star legacy is marked by his competitive spirit, dazzling performances, and memorable moments.

His numerous selections reflect not only his skill and talent but also his significant impact on the league, making him a perennial All-Star and solidifying his status as one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history.

16. Both of Kobe Bryant’s Lakers Jerseys were retired

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Both of Kobe Bryant’s Lakers jerseys were retired in a special ceremony held on December 18, 2017.

The Los Angeles Lakers honored Bryant’s remarkable 20-season career by retiring both jersey numbers he wore during different phases of his illustrious tenure with the team: number 8 and number 24.

This rare distinction underscores Bryant’s impact on the franchise and his iconic legacy in basketball.

The decision to retire two jersey numbers reflects the magnitude of his contributions to the Lakers and the indelible mark he left on the sport as a whole, solidifying his place in NBA history.

17. He ventured into a business and marketing career

Before leaving the NBA, Kobe started expanding his career by getting into the world of investing.

In 2013, he co-founded Bryant Stibel with Web.com’s founder, Jeff Stibel. Bryant Stibel became a company that invested in companies like Fortnite and made Epic Games and it was said that Bryant was a creative visionary. Not just a founding partner.

He easily transitioned to being an adept investor and entrepreneur.

18. Launched Granity Studios

In 2016, Kobe launched Granity Studios, previously known as Kobe Studios. This is an original content company that provides a platform for creative storytelling surrounding sports.

It was responsible for the publishing of Kobe’s poem, “Dear Basketball,” and the award-winning short film adaptation of it that followed.

Granity Studios have also done projects like coming up with the program, “Detail,” for ESPN+ as well as many podcasts.

Bryant in 2007- Author; Flickr user-

19. Kobe won an Academy Award for his animated short film, “Dear Basketball,” in 2018

Bryant won an Academy Award for his animated short film, “Dear Basketball,” in 2018. The film, based on a letter Bryant wrote to The Players’ Tribune announcing his retirement from professional basketball, beautifully combined animation and narration.

Directed by Glen Keane, the film eloquently portrayed Bryant’s deep connection and love for the sport.

The Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film was a remarkable achievement for Bryant, showcasing his versatility and creative talents beyond the basketball court.

“Dear Basketball” marked another chapter in his post-retirement endeavors and further solidified his impact in the realms of storytelling and filmmaking.

20. He authored the book “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play” in 2018

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Bryant authored the book “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play,” published in 2018. In this insightful book, Bryant provided a personal and in-depth look into his approach to basketball and life.

Drawing from his experiences as one of the greatest players in NBA history, he shared stories, reflections, and the principles that defined his “Mamba Mentality.”

The book became a source of inspiration for athletes, business professionals, and individuals seeking to embrace a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Bryant’s literary venture served as a platform to pass on his wisdom, work ethic, and mindset, leaving a lasting impact beyond the basketball court.

Kobe Bryant was a great and passionate basketball player. He started that career at a young age and even after retiring, he still dedicated himself to the sport; mentoring those who wanted to follow in his footsteps.

5 Things Fans Will Forever Remember About Kobe

1. He will be remembered for his incredible mindset 

Kobe Bryant’s career was brilliantly captured by the Mamba Mentality, which was his nickname. 

What exactly is a Mamba Mentality?

It’s the consistency he had to show up for practice every single morning.  The Mamba Mentality meant taking 1,000 shots from the same location where you missed the previous game-winning shot.

The Mamba Mentality of Kobe has changed how both athletes and non-athletes approach their careers. Winning was the one thing that Kobe placed a lot of value on throughout his life. Kobe never settled for second best, whether it was on the court where he won his five championships or off when he won an Oscar and wrote several best-sellers.

The Mamba Mentality, which drove Kobe to grind regardless of the situation, pushed him to become one of the most influential people of all time. With only two words, he was able to inspire an entire generation.

2. He is known as the LA legend

While there’s no denying that Kobe was among the best players of his generation, it wasn’t the titles, the victories, or the buzzer-beaters that made Kobe so loved. His devotion and heart were the reason.

Even in the face of hardship, Kobe remained devoted in a time when switching teams and chasing championships was common. Bryant played with the Los Angeles Lakers for the entirety of his NBA career, and he was largely to blame for all of the excitement and success those teams experienced during those 20 years (and there was plenty). The moments when Kobe gave the city everything he had in terms of basketball will live on in the hearts of the supporters.

3. He will be remembered for supporting Women’s Basketball

Future stars like Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum began to seek out Kobe to practice with. He shared his knowledge with the upcoming basketball superstars by maintaining cordial ties with several of the top players in the game. Kobe also became known as a trailblazer in the promotion and advancement of women’s basketball.

Strong bonds were formed with rising stars, most notably Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu. After retiring, he didn’t take long to establish himself as a key figure in the movement to advance gender equality in a field that has historically been absent.

4. He will be remembered for the trash can challenge

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Kobe had millions of fans in China and a sizable following in Italy, where he grew up, but those numbers don’t even come close to covering it. 

Every child (and a significant number of adults, too) has taken a piece of trash, crushed it into a ball, thrown it into a neighboring trash can, and shouted the name “KOBE!” as they imagined their hurl as a famous buzzer-beating game-winner that captured the Laker legend’s legacy.

5. He was almost a hip-hop star

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Kobe Bryant and Sony Entertainment released the song “K.O.B.E” in January 2000. Tyra Banks sang the hook, and he rapped about how much he loved “basketball, beats, and broads.”

It was originally intended for “Visions,” a full-length album, to be released later that spring. Yet Sony sacked the NBA star after the premiere song premiered and did not take off as expected.