Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978) is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school basketball player in the country. He decided to declare his eligibility for the NBA Draft upon graduation, and was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. As a rookie, Bryant earned himself a reputation as a high-flyer and a fan favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest.
Personal information
| Date of birth | August 23, 1978 |
| Place of birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Nationality | American |
| High school | Lower Merion HS, Ardmore, Pennsylvania |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
Career information
| NBA Draft | 1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13 Selected by the Charlotte Hornets |
| Pro career | 1996–present |
Career history
| Los Angeles Lakers (1996–present) |
Career highlights and awards
| 5× NBA Champion (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) |
| 2× NBA Finals MVP (2009–2010) |
| NBA Most Valuable Player (2008) |
| 12× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2010) |
| 2× NBA scoring champion (2006–2007) |
| 8× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2010) |
