Weighing in at 205 pounds, six feet four inches, from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, with five championship rings, the 2007-2008 NBA MVP Award, 2 NBA Finals MVP Awards, 4 NBA All Star Game MVP Awards, and a NBA salary total of nearly 60 million (and that's not including endorsement and sneaker deals) meet Kobe Bryant. Kobe is arguably one of basketball's greatest players. Although the Lakers' Dynasty is coming to a close along with Bryant's career, many cannot overlook the greatness Kobe Bryant has brought to the game. So this article will list the best facts and highlight the greatest moments from The Black Mamba's career.
1. Drafted Into the NBA Straight of High School
Kobe Bryant never went to college and yet he is one the most successful people on the planet. This is in part due to him being drafted straight out of high school into the NBA at the age of 17. After graduating Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia, Kobe enlisted in the 1996 NBA Draft. Not only did this make Kobe one of the youngest players drafted into the NBA, this also made him the first scoring guard drafted from high school.
2. Was Drafted to The Charlotte Hornets
Originally Bryant was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets before they decide to make what is now possibly one of the worse draft decisions in NBA history. According to Bryant the Hornets never wanted him in the first place... (I bet the only person who probably appreciates that mistake is Anthony Davis).
3. Took Brandy to Prom
Young Kobe Bryant like other high schoolers did attend his prom, but not many can say that they took platinum selling artist, Brandy Norwood to their high school prom. He even flew her and her mother out to Pennsylvania the day of his prom. Smooth Kobe Smooth.
4. His Father was a Former NBA Player
That's right, Kobe being as talented a basketball player as he isn't no coincidence, you can partly say it was in his blood, seeing how he is the son of Joe "Jellybean" Bryant. Joe Bryant had a former NBA career as a Golden State Warrior after being their first round pick in the 1975 NBA Draft. So I guess you can say "ball is life" when it comes to the Bryants.
5. Had a Short Career as A Rapper
That's right, as a entertainer, Kobe didn't just display his basketball skills to the world, but his rapping skills as well. Although it wasn't one of his best talents, he did manage to produce a music video and a couple singles despite the album never being released.
6. Met His Wife on the Set of His Music Video
While shooting the video for his feature on Bryan McKnight's Hold Me, Kobe Bryant met his wife to be, Vanessa Laine while she was working as one of his background dancer. He was attracted to her the minute he saw her and the two hangout over the course of the video shoot.
7. Scored 81 Points in A Single Game
January 23, 2006, Kobe Bryant makes history, scoring 81 points in a single game. During a game against the Toronto Raptors, Bryant managed to single handily score 81 points, all of which were scored before the 4th quarter. No one to this day stay has not come close to breaking that record, aside from Wilt Chamberlain her scored 100 points in 1991.
8. Is the Third Highest Scoring NBA Player Ever
Kobe Bryant is the 3rd highest scorer in NBA history. With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar being the number one highest scorer with 38,387 points and Karl Marlone being second with 36,928 points, Kobe Bryant has scored a total of 33,335 points in entire NBA career. Thats over a thousand more points than the GOAT himself, Michael Jordan (who by the way ranked number 4).
9. The Birth of the Black Mamba
Kobe states that his alter ego, "The Black Mamba", came to be after rape allegations arose against him back in 2003. He states the Black Mamba was born as persona he took on to not only confront the allegations which threatened his marriage but his NBA career as well. He said it was inspired by the Quintin Tarantino film, Kill Bill, which had a character named after the serpent because of their skills as an assassin. Kobe stated that he pride his game on that same lethalness as the snake and character as well.
