When Did Kobe Enter the NBA?

In 1996, Kobe Bryant was drafted into the NBA by the Charlotte Hornets, but was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

1995 NBA Draft

The 1995 NBA draft took place on June 28, 1995, at SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players. The Minnesota Timberwolves had the first overall pick, selecting high school player Kevin Garnett.

Kobe is selected with the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets select Kobe Bryant with the 13th overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft. Charlotte then trades him to the Los Angeles Lakers for center Vlade Divac.

1996 NBA Draft

The 1996 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 1996, at the Palladium in New York City, New York. It was the first NBA Draft of the post-Michael Jordan era. The draft was broadcast in the United States on NBC.

Kobe is traded to the Los Angeles Lakers

On July 1, 1996, the Charlotte Hornets traded Vlade Divac to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant. At the time, Bryant was just 17 years old and still needed to finish high school. He would go on to play 20 seasons with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships.

NBA Career

Kobe Bryant was drafted into the NBA by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would spend the entirety of his 20-year NBA career.

Kobe wins three NBA championships with the Lakers

Kobe Bryant, in full Kobe Bean Bryant, byname the Black Mamba, (born August 23, 1978, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.), American professional basketball player who helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) to five championships (2000–02 and 2009–10). He was one of the game’s mostleading players of his generation.

Bryant was drafted out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 but was traded almost immediately to the Lakers, with whom he spent his entire 20-season NBA career. As a rookie he made an immediate impact with the team, playing all 82 games and starting in 7. He averaged 15.5 points per game that season and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. The Lakers advanced to the playoffs but were defeated in the first round by eventual champion Utah Jazz.

Kobe is named an NBA All-Star 18 times

Kobe is named an NBA All-Star 18 times, including a record-tying 11 times in a row. He also becomes the youngest player in history (at 34 years and 104 days) to reach 30,000 career points.

Retirement

Kobe Bryant, the high-flying Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard, announced his retirement from the NBA on Nov. 29, 2015, ending a 20-year career in which he established himself as one of the greatest players in league history.

Kobe announces his retirement from the NBA in 2016

Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant announced his retirement from the NBA on November 29, 2015, ending his 20-season career with the organization. In a letter addressed to basketball fans, Bryant penned an emotional goodbye to the sport, saying “this season is all I have left to give.”

Bryant’s decision to retire came as a surprise to many, as he had just signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers in the offseason. However, injuries had taken their toll on the 18-time All-Star, and he had been averaging just 15.7 points per game – his lowest since his rookie season – prior to making the announcement.

Bryant leaves the NBA as one of its most decorated players, having won five championships with the Lakers and earning two Olympic gold medals with Team USA. He is also one of only four players in league history to score more than 33,000 points.