Kobe Bryant

By A. S.

ChildhoodBorn August 23, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.He was named after a Japanese steakhouse.Son of former Philadelphia 76ers player & former Los Angeles Sparks head coach and Pamela Cox Bryant.He started playing basketball when he was 3 years old,and his favorite team growing up was the Lakers.

FamilyBryant married 19-year-old Vanessa Lain in April 2001.The Bryant’s first child, a daughter named Natalia Diamante Bryant, was born on January 19, 2003. His second daughter, Gainna Maria-Onore Bryant, was born on May 1, 2006.

BasketballAt 6 years old he started playing basketball.

17-year-old became the first person to jump from high school to professional basketball.

He played for the Lakers.The Lakers rolled to the NBA’s best record (67-15) and home-court advantage (which they now enjoyed at the new Staples Center in downtown LA) throughout the playoffs