Kobe Bryant Bio
The third child of Pam and Joe (Jellybean) Bryant Kobe was born on August 23, 1978. The only boy, he has two older sisters that are gifted athletes as well
Perhaps it was destiny or maybe genetics, but it seems like Kobe Bryant was born to play basketball. He has stated that he can barely recall a day growing up when the sound of a bouncing basketball was not the back drop. In fact, by the time he was three years old he was already proclaiming himself to be a future NBA star. And by 13 he felt he could play with anyone.
The family traveled quite frequently following “jellybean” and his attempts at a prosperous NBA career and though Joe’s career never really took off, Kobe had the opportunity to live and experience the cultures of many different places including a stint the family spent in Italy, where Kobe honed his basketball fundamentals.
Kobe has tried his hand in other venues and even tried a career in music. Though his record was never released he did meet his wife Vanessa will working on the project. She was just 17 and he was 21. This relationship caused quite a stir in the Bryant family. Kobe’s parents were against the wedding, reportedly not pleased with him marrying so young and with the fact that Vanessa is not African American. They were married on April 18th 2001 with only about 12 guests in attendance. The marriage caused a two year rift in the family that was not healed until the birth of their first daughter Natalie in 2003. They had another daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, in May of 2006.
Bryant unfortunately also made non-sports related headlines and was seen nightly on the news when in 2003 he was accused of sexual assault. Bryant candidly admitted having had relations with the woman but was adamant that it was consensual. In early 2004 the charges were dropped when the accuser refused to testify. She later filed a civil suit. The case eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Today Vanessa and Kobe are still happily married raising their girls and #24 is still the anchor and cornerstone of the LA Lakers.
Interesting Kobe tidbits:
Named for a region of Japan
Graduate of Lower Merion High School
Only 18 years old when drafted as the 13th pick overall in 1996
Youngest starter in NBA history
Signed a 3.5 million contract with the Lakers 1996
6 feet 7 inches tall
Leading scorer in 2005-2006 season
MVP recipient
Member US National Team
Participated in two Olympics
Silver Medal 2004
Gold Medal 2008COPYRIGHT © 2008 – 2009 All Sports PRO. All rights reserved.