Kobe Bryant passed away in a tragic helicopter accident on January 26, 2020. His career was full of broken records and highlights, most of which have yet to be matched. Since his retirement in 2016, he had still been a full force in the sport and was training his daughter, 13-year-old Gianna, in the ways of basketball.
A Record-Breaking Retirement
In his final NBA game on April 13, 2016, Kobe Bryant scored 60 points defeating the Utah Jazz, 101-96. He scored 23 points in the final quarter alone. It was a storybook finish for the superstar and the sixth 60-point game of his career.
Best in the Game
Though most sports fans assume Michael Jordan is the ultimate GOAT, Kobe has actually scored more points overall. Though Jordan is ranked as a high scoring player, he doesn't have Bryant beat. The two are very good friends both on and off the court.
What's In a Name?
The famous athlete is actually named after a piece of meat. His parents were dining at a fancy restaurant when his father eyed up the Kobe steak on the menu, one of the most expensive cuts of beef you can buy. If you've ever had it, then you know it's a pretty appropriate namesake for one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
The Rights to His Name
Though it's pretty cool that he's named after a cut of Kobe beef, he actually sued the entire city of Kobe in Japan for the rights to his name and asked them to rename their famous steak. On the case, his attorney said: "While we are aware the city of Kobe has been around longer than my client, Mr. Bryant has clearly become more famous and influential. I mean, just type 'Kobe' into Google and tell me what comes up first... If Gatorade had a flavor named Kobe and wasn't paying him for it, we'd be suing them too."
Forever a Laker
Kobe spent 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he won five championships with them. Though he's a native Philadelphian, LA is easily where he feels the most at home. He's the only player to ever spend that many seasons with one consecutive team.
He Almost Played With The Hornets
In 1996, Kobe was originally drafted to the Charlotte Hornets as the 13th draw in the first-round NBA draft. However, just two weeks after the pick was announced, Charlotte traded him to the Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac in a pre-determined deal. The Hornets are probably sorry they did that now.
Unreleased K.O.B.E. Album
Like most high profile athletes, Kobe also attempted to step into the music scene. He released a rap single called "K.O.B.E.," with lyrics all about "basketball, beats, and broads," and supermodel Tyra Banks sang the chorus. Though he planned an entire album, "Visions," the single fell so flat that Sony dropped him. Stick to basketball!
He Was Fluent In Italian
When Kobe was five, his family moved to Italy after his father retired from a long NBA career. He did a stint in the Italian league, playing for Lazio and Calabria. His family picked up Italian quickly and it has stuck with Kobe since he was little.
A Soccer Star
While he lived in Italy, Kobe picked up soccer and quickly became a natural. He first played in casual pick-up games as a goalie and midfielder. When asked if his family had never moved back to the states, he said he'd probably have kept up soccer instead of playing basketball. "I loved basketball so much, but I also wanted to play for AC Milan."
Five NBA Titles
Kobe has five NBA titles. The only other Lakers with as many trophies under their belt as him are Derek Fisher, Michael Cooper, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, and Magic Johnson. With records like that, it's been nearly impossible for any other NBA player to top them.
Kobe and Brandy Went To Prom Together
Back in high school, Kobe went to prom with the famous "The Boy Is Mine" singer, Brandy. He attended Lower Merion outside of Philadelphia and was drafted into the NBA later that year. The two weren't famous yet, but this couple makes jaws drop every time people are reminded of that star-studded senior prom.
A Record 81 Points
During a game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, Kobe scored a record-breaking 81 points. The only player to have ever scored more points in a single game was Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in 1962. The amount of skill Kobe had is still unmatched today.
Philly Still Loves Him
Though Kobe was born in Philadelphia, his hometown fans took a disliking to him after he said "the Lakers were coming to Philly to cut the 76ers' hearts out" before a game back in 2001. He obviously had no ill intent behind the comment and has since been forgiven. It was all in the name of healthy competition.
A High School Hero
Kobe was the first guard to ever be drafted into the NBA straight from high school. He was assigned to the Charlotte Hornets as the 13th pick in the first draft of 1996. He graduated from Lower Merion and then immediately entered the NBA. He was traded to the Lakers right after being drafted in a predetermined deal between the Hornets and LA.
Slam Dunk Champ
In 1997 Kobe became the youngest player to ever win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He was 18 years old at the time and racked up 49 points for the Lakers during his first year in the big leagues. There were no contests held in 1998 or 1999 due to the NBA lockout.
L.A. Forever
Kobe was the first and only player to spend 20 consecutive seasons with the same team. The L.A. Lakers have been his home base ever since he joined the NBA, and he's nearly 100% responsible for making the team what it is today. His impact on the Lakers is longstanding.
A Legacy
Kobe followed in his father's footsteps when he picked up basketball. His dad, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant was a professional player and ran with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Clippers, and the Rockets for eight years. Then, he moved his family to Europe and played in the Italian leagues for seven years.
It Runs In The Family
Kobe's real middle name is "Bean," a play on his dad Joe's nickname. Most people think that's not actually his middle name, but it is. It's a nice shoutout to his father's high profile career.
Second-Best All-Star
Kobe played in the NBA All-Star game 18 times, which is record-breaking next to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's stunning 19 times. The two have been neck-in-neck as far as racking up titles goes, but Kareem still holds the top spot for the number of All-Star appearances he's made, even if it's only by one.
Historic Points
Though he retired as the fourth-highest scoring basketball player in NBA history, with 33,643 points throughout his career, he was the highest-scoring Laker player ever. His record still stands since he left the game in 2016.
An Olympian
Kobe won two gold medals for the U.S. Olympic National team in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. He also helped bring the Redeem Team to a first-place win at the Beijing games. He even put off a hand surgery to play because he was so dedicated to the event.
The Best Defense In The Game
Bryant was named to the NBA's all-defensive team 12 times, second to only Tim Duncan's 15. Watching Kobe play defense live at a game was unlike watching any other player. He passed on his competitive sportsmanship to his whole team, which made the Lakers an unbeatable force.
A First-Team Pick
Kobe is tied with Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett, and Gary Payton for the most first-team selections of all time. Each player has nine under their belt. Kobe and Karl Malone also each have 11 All-NBA selections, the most of any other players.
Lifetime Achievement
When Kobe retired at the end of 2016, he'd been playing in the NBA for more than half of his entire life. To put it in those terms is a monumental achievement. Entering the league immediately after high school and then staying with the same team for the entirety of his career was unheard of and has yet to be matched by another player.
Lower Merion High School
Bryant attended Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, a Philadelphia suburb. He was picked for the varsity basketball team as a freshman and was the first freshman in decades to earn a starting spot. Despite having an all-star in their ranks, the team finished with a 4-20 record.
The Recruitment Process
During his senior year at Lower Merion, Bryant was a hot commodity among Duke, Michigan, North Carolina, and Villanova coaches. However, after an older senior Kevin Garnett had gone pro immediately after high school in 1995, Bryant considered bypassing college as well. Though no one pursued him harder than the Duke coach, Kobe ultimately decided to join the NBA.
Adidas ABCD Camp
Bryant earned the 1995 senior MVP award at the Adidas ABCD Camp, where he played alongside future Lakers teammate Lamar Odom. The 76ers coach at the time, John Lucas, also invited Bryant to work out and play with the team during practices. Following his extra time with the pros, he led the Lower Merion Aces to their first state championship in 53 years.
Southeastern PA Record-Breaker
At the end of his high school career, he was named Southeastern Pennsylvania's all-time leading scorer with 2,883 points to his name. He surpassed both Wilt Chamberlain and Lionel Simmons with the record. The Lower Merion Aces still owe many of their records to Kobe's time on their court.
NBA All-Rookie Team
In 1996, Kobe was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He even had a trading card made, which has now earned a rare status. It was a prestigious honor to be named to the Rookie team at only 18 years old.
Triple Championship
The Lakers won three NBA championships in a row from 2000 to 2002. Kobe was at the head of the team each time and made some of his record-breaking scores during those games. The team arguably hasn't been as strong without him at the top since his retirement.
First-Time MPV Winner
Kobe was named the All-Star MVP for the first time in 2002. He won the title again in 2007, 2009, and 2011. He was still relatively young when he was given the honor the first time, and eventually, through the 2000s, he became a habitual winner. He's been called an all-around sportsman, both on and off the court, and rightfully earned the MVP status each time.
Surpassing a Former Laker
In 2010, Kobe beat former Laker Jerry West's career record of 25,192 points as the team's leading scorer. Kobe racked up 25,208 points. West played in the NBA from 1960-1974, and later on, went to coach from 1976-1979.
Fined For Homophobic Slur
In 2011, the NBA fined Bryant $100,000 for making an anti-gay slur at a referee during a game. Since the incident, he'd been conscious of using derogatory phrases and has even corrected other fans on social media for doing the same.
Vanessa Bryant Files For Divorce in 2011
After being together for over a decade, Vanessa Bryant filed for divorce in 2011. She cited irreconcilable differences, and the two took some time apart to work through their issues. In 2013, Kobe announced on Facebook that the couple had reconciled and called off their divorce. They remained married until his death in 2020.
A Torn Achilles Tendon
Kobe tore his left Achilles tendon in a game against the Golden State Warriors in April 2013. He underwent a successful surgery but was benched from the Lakers until December of that year. It took a toll on his morale and was the first major injury of his career.
Shatters Bones in His Knee
After returning to the game following his Achilles tendon recovery, Kobe broke bones in his left knee in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. He was benched for another six weeks to recover again. The break occurred just a week after he came back from his six-month hiatus.
Kobe Sues His Mother
In 2013, Kobe filed a lawsuit against his mother Pamela. She was attempting to auction off memorabilia fro the beginning of his basketball career, and he had never given her permission to do so. A settlement was reached in June.
Benched For the 2014 Season
The Lakers announced that Bryant wouldn't play for the rest of the 2014 season in March after doctors said the break in his left knee hadn't fully healed. The official diagnosis was a fractured lateral tibial plateau, and putting any pressure on a partially-healed break was too much of a risk for the athlete and the team.
Kobe Inc.
Bryant launched Kobe Inc. in 2014. He announced the company's first investment was a 10% stake in the sports drink BodyArmor. In 2018, Coca-Cola also purchased a minority stake in BodyArmor as well. Kobe Inc. was the athlete's next logical step following his pending retirement from the NBA later in 2015.
A Change of Position
Coach Byron Scott announced that Kobe would play a forward position rather than his usual guard position when he returned to the game after his injury. It would be the first time he ever changed his role on the team since being drafted to the Carolina Hornets nearly two decades prior.
Player's Tribune Announces Retirement
In 2015, Kobe posted his official retirement announcement to the Player's Tribune. He would officially hang up his jersey after the 2015/2016 season. He was 37 years old. In a poem, he wrote that his heart and soul would always be in the game, but his body was telling him it was time to stop. He'd had a string of semi-serious injuries back to back, and wasn't at his most physically fit.
Lakers Retire Kobe's Jerseys
The Lakers retired the famous numbers 24 and 8 in 2017 during a halftime ceremony. Bryant was in attendance for the moving display. He'd worn number 24 for most of his career and has been one of the most popular jerseys sold through the NBA's merchandising sites.
"Dear Basketball" Wins Awards
Kobe's animated short film, "Dear Basketball," won an Academy Award in 2018. It is narrated by Kobe, directed and animated by Glen Keane, and scored by John Williams. The film is based around Kobe's retirement letter to the Players' Tribune. It won an Academy Award for Best Short Film (Animated) and a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Post-Produced Graphic Design.
Vanessa Bryant is Latina
Vanessa Cornejo Urbieta was born in 1982 and is half Mexican and half Irish. She fully embraces her Latina culture. She and Kobe met while she was still in high school.
High School Sweethearts
The couple met while they were both teenagers in high school. Though her family didn't agree with her relationship with a soon-to-be high profile basketball star, they married in 2001. They were married for 19 years.
A Growing Family
Vanessa and Kobe have four daughters together. Natalia Diamante, 17, Gianna Maria-Onore, 13, Bianka Bella, 3, and Capri Kobe, 6 months. The couple pride themselves on leading a private home life. Daughter Gianna was also training to be a basketball player like her dad, and Vanessa nicknamed her "Mambacita" after Kobe's "Black Mamba" nickname.
A Quiet Social Media Presence
Though she has 1.4 million followers, her Instagram account is private. She wants to keep her personal life personal, and fans seem to respect that wish. Kobe's accounts were all public, she kept her content to herself. Most of her photos are most likely of her family, something she doesn't wish to have spread to the press.
Celebrity Friends
Vanessa is friends with celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, and Beyonce. Following Kobe's sudden death, J. Lo and other stars posted their public condolences and reached out to Vanessa with words of support. The whole world, not just the elite, are all grieving. Vanessa has yet to make a statement.
A Great Mom
Vanessa always puts her kids first, and is a child at heart herself. The family has been to Disney World several times, and have attended several Disney movie premieres. Having girls who are so close in age helps because they all seem to enjoy the same things. Having famous parents with the ability to take you to your favorite places is surely a bonus too.
BFFs With Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama and Vanessa share the same passion for basketball and have bonded over it for years. They've always been supportive of each other's different endeavors, and it was common for the First couple to catch a Lakers game when they could. Both Barack and Michelle have issued public condolences for their lost friend.
Mamba Sports Academy
Kobe and Vanessa started the Mamba Sports Academy. It is a spacious sports training facility in Newbury Park, California. It was a way for the couple to give back to youth teams who needed a place to practice and an outlet to grow. Kobe and Vanessa have always made the effort to be philanthropic throughout their careers.
Kobe and Gianna's Close Bond
Kobe and his second-oldest daughter shared a close bond because she was training to be a basketball player just like him. She was starting to forge her own path in the sports world even though she was only thirteen years old. She hoped to be as influential to the game as he was, and he wanted to help her get there.
Promise at a Young Age
Gigi joined Kobe's school, The Mamba League, and quickly became one of the best players on her team. The two were always on the court together, and he was an excellent coach. He never pushed too hard, and always encouraged her to do her best. It was evident that soon Gigi would outgrow the Mamba League and be ready for something bigger and better.
A Girl's World
Fans always told Kobe and Vanessa that they should try for a boy because with all four of her pregnancy announcements, she revealed yet another daughter. However, Kobe told Jimmy Kimmel that you don't need to have a son to keep a sports legacy alive. He was always proud of his daughters' successes, no matter what they were. Gianna proved that you don't need to be a boy to excel at a sport that's typically aimed at men.
Big Dreams
According to Kobe, Gigi longed to go to the University of Connecticut and play for the women's basketball team there. Though Kobe and his family were partial to LA for obvious reasons, he said he'd support her no matter where she wanted to go.
Gianna Honored by UConn
Following her tragic passing, UConn's women's basketball team honored Gigi with a jersey at their home game. There was a 24-second moment of silence, for Kobe's Lakers number 24. Gigi was given the number 2. Even though she was only 13, she had big dreams to someday attend the school, and she was known and loved by the whole team and coaching staff.
Soulmates Through It All
The untimely passing of Kobe and Gigi has devastated Vanessa. A source close to the couple stated that, despite their ups and downs, Vanessa and Kobe were soulmates, and she is "unable to finish a sentence without crying." However, she is managing to pull herself together for her other three children.
NBA Considers a New Logo
Fans are petitioning for the NBA to honor Kobe Bryant going forward by including him in a logo redesign. The current logo has been in place for more than 50 years, and this is the perfect opportunity to honor the basketball legend and rebrand the company in his honor. The petition is allegedly being considered.
Nine Dead in Helicopter Crash
Kobe and Gianna were two of nine people who died in the Calabasas helicopter crash on January 26th, 2020. There is an ongoing investigation about the circumstances of the crash. Apparently, Vanessa and Kobe had a deal that they'd never fly in a helicopter together in case this ever happened, though nobody thought it really ever would.
Memorials are Surfacing
Memorials of Kobe and Gianna are already surfacing across the United States. Twitter crashed when the news broke, and nearly every social media site has been non-stop posting about the NBA legend and his daughter. Countless television show hosts, like Jimmy Fallon and Ellen DeGeneres, have used their air time to honor him.