When Did Kobe Join the NBA?

Kobe Bryant joined the NBA in 1996, when he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would spend the majority of his career.

1996 NBA Draft

Kobe Bryant was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets, then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He became the youngest player in NBA history at the time, and went on to have one of the most successful careers in the league.

Los Angeles Lakers draft Kobe Bryant with the 13th overall pick

The 1996 NBA draft was held on June 26, 1996, at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues. The Los Angeles Lakers used their 24th pick to draft Kobe Bryant from Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania.

NBA Debut

Kobe Bryant was drafted into the NBA straight out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would go on to spend his entire 20-year career. In his rookie season, Kobe averaged 7.6 points per game.

Kobe Bryant makes his NBA debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves

Kobe Bryant made his NBA debut on November 3, 1996, against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was just eighteen years old at the time, and he would go on to have one of the greatest careers in NBA history. Kobe was known for his scoring prowess, and he was able to put up points in bunches against some of the best defenders in the league. He was also a tenacious worker who spent countless hours honing his craft. Kobe Bryant retired in 2016 after twenty seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time.

All-Star Selection

Kobe Bryant was drafted into the NBA straight out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would spend his entire 20-year career. In his rookie season, Bryant averaged 7.6 points per game.

Kobe Bryant is selected to his first All-Star game in 1998

Kobe Bryant was selected to his first All-Star game in 1998. He was the youngest player in NBA history to be selected at the time. He became a starter in the All-Star game in 2002.

First Championship

Kobe Bryant was drafted into the NBA on August 23, 1996, by the Charlotte Hornets, but was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He started his rookie season on November 3, 1996. The Lakers made it to the NBA Finals that year, but lost to the Chicago Bulls.

Kobe Bryant wins his first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000

Kobe Bean Bryant (/ˈkoʊbi/; born August 23, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player. He played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He entered the NBA directly from high school and won five NBA championships with the Lakers. Bryant is an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and 12-time member of the All-Defensive team. He led the NBA in scoring during two seasons and ranks third on both the league’s all-time regular season scoring and all-time postseason scoring lists. He holds numerous NBA records, including most seasons playing with one franchise for an entire career, most seasons appearing in the playoffs, most seasons winning a championship, and Finals MVPs won. At 34 years and 104 days old, he became the youngest player in league history to reach 30,000 career points.

Bryant was born in Philadelphia and played high school basketball at Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania. He was recognized as the top high school player in the country after winning a number of awards as a senior at Lower Merion. Upon graduation, he declared for the 1996 NBA draft where he was selected by Charlotte with the 13th overall pick; however, he was traded to Los Angeles that same evening. As a rookie head coach Pat Riley led Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal to 60 wins and their first playoff appearance since 1991–92.[10] The following two seasons under head coach Del Harris saw increases in both victories and individual awards for Bryant; he was named an All-Star for the first time in 1999 and led his team to its first Finals appearance since 1988. In 2000–01, Riley’s final season as head coach, Bryant helped lead Los Angeles to victory over Allen Iverson’s Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of series en route to an eventual 3–1 victory.

Retirement

Kobe Bryant, who spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, announced his retirement from the NBA on Nov. 29, 2015. Kobe’s retirement signals the end of an era for the Lakers, as he is the last player from their 2000 NBA championship team still active in the league.

Kobe Bryant announces his retirement from the NBA in 2016

After 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant announced his retirement from the NBA in a poem published on The Players’ Tribune on November 29, 2015. The announcement came as a surprise to many, as he had just signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers the previous month. In his poem, Bryant said that he felt it was time to “let [his] dreams of playing in the NBA become reality.”

Bryant’s decision to retire came after years of rumors that he was considering it. In 2012, Kobe told reporters that he planned on playing until he was 40 years old. However, by 2014, those rumors had begun to circulate again after he suffered a season-ending injury. In January 2015, Kobe said that he would “evaluate [his] options” after the season.

It is unclear what Kobe will do now that he is retired from the NBA. He has said that he plans on spending more time with his family and friends, and possibly pursuing other interests outside of basketball.