Sports

Kobe Bryant

An NBA player's son raised in Italian gyms; went from high school straight to the Lakers at 17.

Kobe Bryant was born in 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. Kobe Bryant's background is described as Black American; partly raised in Italy. Growing up, the family was affluent — his father Joe Bryant played in the NBA and then in Italy, where Kobe spent seven childhood years and learned fluent Italian. An NBA player's son raised in Italian gyms; went from high school straight to the Lakers at 17.

Born: 1978 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Roots: Black American; partly raised in Italy
Family: Affluent; His father Joe Bryant played in the NBA and then in Italy, where Kobe spent seven childhood years and learned fluent Italian.
Education: Lower Merion High School (no college)
Started with: A father's court; Learned the game in the Italian gyms where his father played.
Affiliations & societies: None documented.; Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.

The pathway

1996 · age 17
Straight from high school$48M deal
Drafted 13th and traded to the Lakers on draft night; his parents co-sign the contract because he is underage. An adidas deal arrives before his debut.
2000 · age 21
Three-peat begins
Three consecutive titles alongside Shaquille O'Neal.
2003 · age 24
Colorado case
Charged with sexual assault; the criminal case is dropped, a civil suit settles, and sponsors step back for a period.
2006 · age 27
81 points
The second-highest single-game total in NBA history.
2009 · age 30
Back-to-back titles
Finals MVP in both; five championships in all.
2016 · age 37
60 points in the farewell game
2018 · age 39
An Academy Award
Dear Basketball wins the animated-short Oscar — a first for an NBA player.
2020 · age 41
Calabasas helicopter crash
Dies with his daughter Gianna and seven others; memorials span the world.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Kobe Bryant from?

Kobe Bryant was born in 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. Their background is described as Black American; partly raised in Italy.

When was Kobe Bryant born?

Kobe Bryant was born in 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.

What is Kobe Bryant's background or ethnicity?

Kobe Bryant's roots are described as Black American; partly raised in Italy. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.

Where did Kobe Bryant go to school?

Kobe Bryant's education: Lower Merion High School (no college).

What was Kobe Bryant's family background growing up?

At birth the family was affluent. His father Joe Bryant played in the NBA and then in Italy, where Kobe spent seven childhood years and learned fluent Italian.

How did Kobe Bryant get started?

Kobe Bryant started with a father's court. Learned the game in the Italian gyms where his father played.

Sources

Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.