This is one of the best basketball players of the 21st century. He became famous while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He went down in history as a five-time NBA champion, a two-time Olympic champion for the US national basketball team, the 2007 American Championship winner, an 18-time NBA All-Star Game player, and a four-time All-Star Game MVP. His life, like his career, was dynamic and rich. His playing style has been replicated by younger generations, who admire him for his athletic skills. You might also read about the best coach in Los Angeles Lakers history, Phil Jackson. Learn more at i-los-angeles.
Biography
The future athlete was born in Philadelphia on August 2, 1978. In 1984, his family relocated from the United States to Italy. As a result, he began his first training sessions there, demonstrating both athletic drive to win and perseverance. Back in Italy, he enjoyed football and even played it occasionally. His favorite club was AC Milan. However, fate brought him closer to basketball. While still in high school, Bryant began playing for the Lower Merion team. Even back then, he was regarded as the best basketball player among schoolchildren in the country. He was honored with the Naismith Award. Despite his initial success in basketball, the athlete continued his activities in a rap group and even had aspirations of being a solo artist.
In 2005, Kobe Bryant came up with a nickname for himself and requested that journalists refer to him as Black Mamba. He admired mamba snakes, which can make consecutive bites with up to 99% accuracy. Kobe dreamed of a similarly effective performance. However, his main inspiration for taking a nickname was Quentin Tarantino’s film “Kill Bill 2”.
However, the brilliant and bright life of the athlete was short. On January 26, 2020, at the age of 41, Kobe Bryant died in the crash of a private Sikorsky S-76 helicopter in Calabasas, California. The crash claimed the lives of eight more people. Among them were his daughter Gianna and friends of the family. The helicopter lost orientation after flying into the clouds and did not adhere to standard flight procedures. This was stated by the competent authorities as a result of the investigation. In 2020, Kobe was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Sports career
In 1996, one of Bryant’s dreams came true. Jerry West, the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, exchanged the famous center Vlade Divac for Bryant. This helped him join the team he had supported since he was a child. Kobe became the first quarterback picked by the NBA straight out of high school. Since the athlete was not yet 18 years old, his parents signed the contract instead.
Bryant’s real career peak occurred in 2000. The team has taken home the title of champion three times this season. It was credited to Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. As a result, six years after beginning his athletic career, Kobe had already won three championship titles.
After 8 years of playing for the team, he became its leader and main star. Fans admired him because of the excellent results he achieved in practically every game. He was twice named the best shooter of the NBA regular season. With his accomplishments, Kobe became the youngest player in league history to reach the 30,000-point mark. He also became the most productive Lakers player ever. In the 2005 season, he became the greatest shooter and achieved an unprecedented feat in a single match. On January 22, 2006, he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors. His playing style was reminiscent of a dance, as he performed long shots, medium shots, and slam dunks over everyone. He became an athlete whose movements were replicated by succeeding generations.
Kobe’s athletic career was exceptional as he always moved only forward. His professional career was free of significant falls and failures. He virtually always led his team to victory. He played as a shooting guard. Throughout his career, he won five NBA titles, including the 2008 MVP award for the Los Angeles Lakers. He defeated one of the most titled athletes in the world, Michael Jordan, and rose to third position on the list of the best. However, this tremendous success had an impact on Bryant’s attitude toward other players. Popularity clouded his vision, so he dismissed everyone on his team. Thus, there were a lot of conflicts with other players.
In 2016, the athlete announced the end of his sports career. His final professional game was on April 13, 2016. The fans went crazy. Social networks even sold air from this match for several thousand dollars. Kobe played 20 seasons for the team. During his professional career, he sustained 25 significant injuries and earned $323 million. This is the second-highest achievement in history.
Kobe maintained contact with fans even after his athletic career ended. He even surprised them with his hobbies. In particular, he worked with Wesley King on a collection of science fiction stories titled “The Wizenard Series: Training Camp”. He also demonstrated his creative skills in the animated film “Dear Basketball”.
Personal life
In 2001, the basketball player married Vanessa Cornejo, a Mexican-born dancer. Bryant’s parents did not approve of his decision to marry at such a young age, additionally, their daughter-in-law was not African-American, but of Mexican descent. There were no teammates at the wedding, either. Two years later, the Bryants had a daughter, Natalia. In 2006, Gianna was born, followed by Bianca in December 2016 and Capri in June 2019. Dad’s favorite was Gianna. The girl liked basketball and aspired to play in the Women’s National Basketball Association. Kobe was certain she would. He was eager to help his daughter train and play basketball. He even established Mamba Sports Academy for this purpose. However, the helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, destroyed the Bryant family’s happiness and their bright aspirations for the future. Following the tragic passing of her daughter and husband, Vanessa Bryant reported that a special fund was established to generate donations and assist the families of other victims of the tragedy.
In 2003, the basketball player was involved in a major scandal. He was accused of raping. The charges were brought by 19-year-old maid Katelyn Faber, who worked at the hotel the basketball player was staying in. Bryant was facing up to 20 years in jail. However, the girl later refused to take part in a public trial.
Kobe Bryant began collaborating with the sportswear company Nike in 2003. He earned approximately $8 million each year from product sales. Following the death of the basketball player, Nike put up for auction sneakers designed by Kobe Bryant. Such sneakers can cost up to $180 at branded Nike stores. Initially, the corporation intended to discontinue selling products from a collaboration with Kobe Bryant. However, after two days of the legendary basketball player’s death, all of the Kobe line items had sold out.
The athlete’s awards
Bryant won two Olympic gold medals with the US national team, in Beijing and London. In addition to numerous sports awards, the basketball player was presented with an Academy Award. In 2018, he won Best Animated Short Film for “Dear Basketball”. The film, directed by Glen Keane, was based on the words Bryant used to announce his retirement from sports. The voice-over text in the cartoon was read by the athlete himself.