#FACT: Kobe's father, Joe Bryant, named him after one of the world's most well-known and pricey cuts of beef.
When individuals mention the greatest basketball players globally, it's expected that Kobe Bryant will be included.
Certainly, Kobe captivated fans with his clutch shots and inspired many to push their boundaries. Despite his short life, it was filled with memorable moments and accomplishments worth cherishing.
Therefore, come along as we explore 30 fascinating facts about Kobe Bryant.
Kobe Bryant came into the world on August 23, 1978, falling under the zodiac sign of Virgo.
Kobe's dad, Joe Bryant, chose to name him after one of the world's renowned and pricey beef varieties.
Having two sisters, Sharia and Shaya Bryant, where Sharia is the eldest and Shaya is the middle child, Kobe holds the position as the youngest sibling.
Kobe attended and played as a varsity athlete at Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania, achieving a high SAT score of 1080 but opting out of pursuing college.
At 17 years old in 1996, Kobe Bryant was selected by the Charlotte Hornets, only to be swiftly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac, the team's center at that time, without playing for the Hornets.
Kobe maintained a perfect record while representing Team USA, concluding his U.S. career with 36 victories, 16 of which were in the Olympics.
Besides being fluent in English, Kobe also mastered Italian during his childhood years in Italy.
Kobe further picked up Spanish by watching telenovelas with his Mexican-American wife and mother-in-law.
Kobe and Vanessa, his wife, welcomed four daughters into their family: Natalia, Gianna, Bianka, and Capri.
On January 7, 2003, Kobe set a record by sinking 12 three-pointers against the Seattle Supersonics in a single regular-season game.
Kobe motivated millions to adopt a mindset of continuous hard work and self-improvement, famously termed as the Mamba Mentality.
Kobe Bryant was one of the few NBA legends who achieved a three-peat, winning three consecutive championships alongside Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant centers in the history of the game.
In 2018, Kobe's short film "Dear Basketball," which he wrote and narrated, received an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.
During the year 1999, Kobe ventured into rapping as part of the rap group CHEIZAW, which secured a record deal with Sony’s Urban Music.
Through this collaboration, Kobe released his album "Visions," featuring renowned rappers like 50 Cent and Tyra Banks. Unfortunately, the album was never released due to the underwhelming response to its lead single, "K.O.B.E."
Kobe was honored with his first and only NBA regular season MVP award on May 6, 2008.
One of Kobe's most memorable moments was his exceptional performance against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, where he scored an incredible 81 points, the second-highest in a single NBA game by a player.
In 2015, Kobe surprised fans by appearing at Taylor Swift's LA concert to commemorate her 16th sold-out show at the Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as the Staples Center. This number was significant as the team had a total of 16 NBA championships that year.
Facing numerous serious sports-related injuries in his mid-30s, Kobe decided to retire at the age of 37 after completing the 2015-2016 season.
At the challenge of Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe scored an impressive 60 points in his final career game after being asked to reach 50 points.
On January 26, 2020, a tragic helicopter crash took the lives of Kobe, his daughter Gianna, and seven others on board.
Following Kobe's passing, NBA teams paid tribute to him by starting games with either an 8-second backcourt violation or a 24-second violation.
Kobe and Gianna Bryant were laid to rest on February 7, 2020, at the Pacific View Memorial Park in California.
In February 2020, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver honored Kobe Bryant by renaming the All-Star MVP award after him. Kobe, who had won four All-Star MVPs, shared the record with Bob Petitt.
Kobe Bryant was posthumously inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame on May 15, 2021, with his widow, Vanessa, delivering an acceptance speech on his behalf.
Every August 24, Kobe Bryant Day is celebrated to commemorate the life of Kobe, chosen in reference to the two jersey numbers (8 and 24) he wore during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers.
In 2014, Kobe made a $6 million investment in BodyArmor, a competitor of Gatorade, which Coca-Cola later acquired in 2021 for $5.6 billion.
Initially signing with Adidas before Nike in 2003 to launch a highly successful shoe line, Kobe terminated his six-year Adidas deal prematurely, resulting in an $8 million penalty.
To this day, Kobe stands as one of the NBA's top scorers, amassing a total of 33,463 career points.
It's a common sight for children to pay tribute to the basketball legend by shouting his name when tossing crumpled paper into the bin.
Finally, Kobe Bryant's impact goes well beyond the basketball court, where he once wowed fans with his skill and drive.
From the basketball floor to the Oscars stage, Kobe made an indelible impression on the world. Most significantly, he was a great inspiration to African Americans in athletics.
His legacy lives on in every swish of the net, every "Kobe!" yelled in schoolyards, and every heart that beats with the mamba mindset.
