Biography of Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant is an American basketball player, who represents the Los Angeles Lakers, in the the National Basketball Association (NBA). Playing from the off-guard position, Bryant played an important role in Lakers' three consecutive NBA title wins from 2000 to 2002. He was a part of the team United States which won the Gold in men's basketball in 2008 Summer Olympics.

Biography of Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was born on August 23, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the third child of Joe Bryant and Pamela Cox Bryant. His father, Joe Bryant, was the head coach of Los Angeles Sparks. He started playing basketball at an early age of three years. He studied at the Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia. In 1995, he earned the Most Valuable Player Award at the Adidas ABCD camp. His performance at the senior year of high school earned him laurels, such as Naismith High School Player of the Year and a USA Today All-USA First Team player. At the age of 17, Kobe decided to go directly to NBA.

In 1996, Kobe Bryant was chosen as a draft pick by Charlotte Hornets, and traded with Los Angeles Lakers. In 1996-97 season, Bryant played a significant role in Lakers' 56 wins. At the age of 17, he became the youngest player to play in NBA. He came under spotlight after winning the Nestle Crunch Slam Dunk in 1997. In the second season, he became the youngest NBA All-star starter in NBA. Lakers won the NBA Championship in 2000, 2001 and 2002 season in a row. Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant married Vanessa Laine on April 18, 2001 in Dana Point, California. The couple has two daughters; Natalia Diamante Bryant born on January 19, 2003, and Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, born on May 1st, 2006.

Bryant was chosen as the Most Valuable Player of the 2002 All-star game. In 2002-03 season, Bryant was at the all time high with an average of 30 points per match, but Lakers failed to make it four championships in a row, losing to San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs. In 2003, Bryant made it to the headlines for all the wrong reasons. He was arrested on the charges of sexual assault filed by Katelyn Faber, a nineteen-year-old hotel employee. Though the case was dropped the following year, his reputation received a severe dent. Later the separate civil lawsuit, filed by Faber, was settled out of the court. Conflicts within the team led to further tarnishing of his image.

In 2003-2004 season, Kobe Bryant became a free agent, which gave him the power of opting out of the team if he desired. Following the internal conflicts, Shaqueel O'Neil was traded to Miami Heat, and Bryant acquired the top position in LA Laker's. The 2004-05 season proved to be disastrous season for the team, as well as Bryant himself. Laker's failed to make it to the playoffs, while Bryant failed to make it to NBA All-Defensive team. His debut for United States National Team came in 2006. This team went on to win the FIBA Americas Championship in 2007, and the Olympic gold medal in 2008. Bryant made his ninth All-Star Game appearance on February 18, 2007. By the end of this year, he became the youngest player to reach the 20,000 point mark. In May 2008, Bryant got the first NBA Most Valuable Player Award, of his career.

Kobe Bryant has been associated with brands like Adidas, Coca Cola, McDonald's and Nintendo. One of the major brands endorsed by Bryant was Nike's Hyperdunk shoes. His videos promoting this brand were viewed 4.5 million times each, on YouTube. He featured on the cover of NBA '07: Featuring the Life Vol. 2. He also featured on the cover of 'ESPN The magazine', as an avid fan of Barcelona in 2009.

His long list of laurels, which includes awards like the NBA Most Valuable Player award, NBA Slam dunk Champion, NBA Champion, etc, gives a rough idea of his prominence on the basketball court. In his career spanning just over a decade, Bryant has made it to the helm of the world of basketball.