Kobe Bryant is one of the most successful and revered players in NBA history. He was born on August 23rd, 1978 to former NBA player Joe Bryant and his wife Pamela. He spent his entire NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He made it to the All-NBA Rookie team after his debut season, won two scoring titles in 2006 and 2007, was named the All-Star game MVP four times, and won the NBA MVP in 2008. At the time of his retirement in 2016, he was the third-highest scorer in NBA history behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone.

The Lakers honored his contributions to the franchise by retiring the #8 and #24 jerseys. Bryant lent his voice in a five-minute animated documentary about his retirement called ‘Dear Basketball’, which won an Oscar. He tragically passed away in a helicopter accident on January 26th, 2020 along with his daughter Gianna and seven other passengers. Bryant was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

When was Kobe Bryant drafted?

Kobe Bryant spent four years at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. He decided to skip college and declared for the 1996 NBA draft. He was picked 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, who traded him to the Lakers for Vlade Divac.

How Many NBA titles has Kobe Bryant won?

Kobe Bryant won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won his first title during the 1999-2000 NBA season under legendary head coach Phil Jackson. Bryant, alongside league MVP Shaquille O’Neal, beat the Indiana Pacers 4-2 in the NBA Finals to win the franchise’s first championship since 1988. The following year, Bryant, O’Neal and Jackson led the Lakers to another title, beating the Allen Iverson-led Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 in the NBA Finals. In their third season together, the trio helped the Lakers become only the fourth franchise in NBA history win three-straight NBA titles as they swept the New Jersey Nets 4-0 in the NBA Finals. O’Neal was named Finals MVP on all three occasions, however, Bryant delivered incredible performances in each run to the title.

Following their triumph in the 2002, the Lakers went six seasons without a championship, losing in the NBA Finals twice (Detroit Pistons in 2004 and Boston Celtics in 2008). Bryant and the Lakers ended their hump in 2009, with a 4-1 win over the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals. The Lakers star won his first NBA Finals honor. The following season, the Lakers faced the Celtics in the NBA Finals and the series went to seven games. Bryant and the Lakers edged out the Celtics to win the franchise’s 16th NBA title. Bryant was named the Finals MVP for the second season running.