How Old Was Kobe Bryant When He Entered The NBA?

Many people are curious about how old Kobe Bryant was when he entered the NBA. The answer may surprise you. Kobe was only 17 years old when he was drafted into the NBA.

Kobe Bryant’s Early Life

Kobe Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bryant’s parents were both professional basketball players; his father, Joe Bryant, played eight seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, while his mother, Pamela Bryant, played one season in the Women’s Basketball Association (WBA). Bryant was raised in Lower Merion, an affluent suburb of Philadelphia. As a child, Bryant was recognized for his talents in basketball, and he became known as the “local prodigy” by the age of twelve.

Kobe Bryant’s family

Kobe Bean Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents are former professional basketball players. His father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, played in the NBA from 1984 to 1991. His mother, Pam Bryant, played college basketball at the University of South California. Kobe has two sisters: Sharia and Shaya.

Kobe’s family moved to Italy when he was six years old because his father signed a contract to play professional basketball there. Kobe became fluent in Italian and developed a love for soccer while living in Italy. He returned to the United States when he was thirteen years old and enrolled at Lower Merion High School outside of Philadelphia.

Kobe Bryant’s high school career

Kobe Bean Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a young child, Kobe showed great potential as an athlete — he even gave Michael Jordan a run for his money during a dunking contest at Nike camp when they were both teenagers. But it was basketball that Kobe loved most, — he even had dreams of becoming the first player in NBA history to go directly from high school to the pros.

Kobe’s skills on the court caught the attention of several colleges, but he ultimately decided to go pro out of high school — forgoing his college career altogether. At just 17 years old, he became the youngest player ever to be drafted into the NBA.

Kobe Bryant’s NBA Career

Kobe Bryant was just 17 years old when he was drafted into the NBA by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996. He was the first guard to be drafted out of high school since Darryl Dawkins in 1975. Kobe Bryant’s NBA career spanned 20 seasons, and he is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time.

Kobe Bryant’s rookie season

Kobe Bean Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was drafted into the NBA straight out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick in 1996 and then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe played his entire 20-year professional career with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships.

Bryant was an 18-year-old rookie during his first season in the NBA. He played in 71 games and started in 6 of them. He averaged 7.6 points per game, 1.9 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game.

Kobe Bryant’s All-Star appearances

Kobe Bryant was selected to 18 All-Star teams, tied with NBA legends Jerry West and Karl Malone for the most in league history. He was also voted as the game’s MVP four times, tied for second-most all time.

Bryant’s first All-Star selection came as a 21-year-old rookie in 1998. It was the beginning of a remarkable streak that saw him voted to the game every year until 2016, when he was sidelined by a torn rotator cuff that caused him to miss the final two months of the season.

At 37 years old, Bryant was the oldest player in All-Star history when he made his final appearance in 2016. He is also the youngest player ever to be selected, making the team at age 21 in 1998.

Kobe Bryant’s championships

Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player. He played his entire 20-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won five NBA championships and was an 18-time All-Star, a 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and a 12-time member of the All-Defensive team. He led the NBA in scoring during two seasons, and ranks fourth on the league’s all-time regular season scoring and all-time postseason scoring lists.

Kobe Bryant’s Post-NBA Career

After 20 seasons in the NBA, Kobe Bryant retired in 2016. He had one of the most successful careers in NBA history, winning 5 championships, 2 Finals MVPs, and 1 regular season MVP. Since retiring, Kobe has started a new career in business and investing. He has also become a mentor to young players, helping them develop their skills on and off the court.

Kobe Bryant’s retirement

Kobe Bryant played his last game in the NBA on April 13, 2016, scoring 60 points in a 101-96 victory over the Utah Jazz. He announced his retirement from the league the following month, writing an open letter in The Players’ Tribune entitled “Dear Basketball.”

Bryant retired as the NBA’s third all-time leading scorer, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. He was a five-time NBA champion, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and a 18-time All-Star.

After his playing career ended, Bryant remainedinvolved with the Lakers, serving as a mentor to young players on the team. He also continued his philanthropic work, launching the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation in 2013.

In 2018, Bryant won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film for Dear Basketball. He is the first former NBA player to receive an Oscar.

Kobe Bryant’s business ventures

Kobe Bryant’s business career began while he was still playing in the NBA. In 2013, he launched Kobe Inc., a holding company that would invest in businesses across a variety of industries. In 2015, he partnered with BodyArmor to become that company’s largest shareholder; his investment was reportedly worth $6 million. In 2016, he launched Granity Studios, an content company focused on storytelling across multiple mediums. And in 2018, he became a board member of Alibaba Group, one of the world’s largest tech companies.

Since retiring from the NBA in 2016, Kobe Bryant has been increasingly involved in the business world. He is the founder and president of Kobe Inc., a holding company that invests in businesses across a variety of industries. He is also a partner and major shareholder of BodyArmor, a sports drink company. In addition, he runs Granity Studios, an award-winning content company focused on storytelling across multiple mediums. And most recently, he joined the board of directors of Alibaba Group, one of the world’s largest tech companies.

Kobe Bryant’s death

On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. He was 41 years old. The helicopter was flying to Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy for a basketball game.

Bryant had retired from the NBA in 2016 after 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won five NBA championships and was named to 18 All-Star teams. He was also the league’s MVP in 2008. In 2012, he helped the U.S. team win a gold medal at the Olympics.

Bryant’s death stunned the world and sent shockwaves through the sports world. Tributes poured in from athletes, celebrities, and fans around the globe.