24 facts about amazing Kobe Bryant





April 13, 2016, Kobe Bryant played his final game in the NBA against the Utah Jazz doing what no player in decades had done: take 50 shots in a game. He ended the night and his career with a season-high 60-point game, the sixth of his career. Bryant announced his plans to retire on Nov. 29, 2015 in a lengthy poem on the Players' Tribune website, entitled "Dear Basketball." "This season is all I have left to give," he wrote. "My heart can take the pounding / My mind can handle the grind / But my body knows it's time to say goodbye."His tragic death five years later, at age 41, in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020, stunned fans worldwide and cut short a promising new chapter in Bryant's life.Here are 24 fascinating facts you might not have known about the Lakers' legendary #24...60 Minutes interview with Kobe Bryant Streeter Lecka/Getty Images 1/25 The end of an era April 13, 2016, Kobe Bryant played his final game in the NBA against the Utah Jazz doing what no player in decades had done: take 50 shots in a game. He ended the night and his career with a season-high 60-point game, the sixth of his career. Bryant announced his plans to retire on Nov. 29, 2015 in a lengthy poem on the Players' Tribune website, entitled "Dear Basketball." "This season is all I have left to give," he wrote. "My heart can take the pounding / My mind can handle the grind / But my body knows it's time to say goodbye." His tragic death five years later, at age 41, in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020, stunned fans worldwide and cut short a promising new chapter in Bryant's life. Here are 24 fascinating facts you might not have known about the Lakers' legendary #24... 60 Minutes interview with Kobe Bryant Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Most people, for example, probably know that Kobe Bryant is one of the highest scoring players of all time. But did you know he's actually scored more points than Michael Jordan? Vincent Laforet/AFP/Getty Images 2/25 More than Jordan Most people, for example, probably know that Kobe Bryant is one of the highest scoring players of all time. But did you know he's actually scored more points than Michael Jordan? Credit: Vincent Laforet/AFP/Getty Images

Kobe's father named him after the expensive and renowned Japanese cut of meat, Kobe beef, after seeing it on a menu. Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images 3/25 Named after a steak Kobe's father named him after the expensive and renowned Japanese cut of meat, Kobe beef, after seeing it on a menu. Credit: Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images

As it turns out, Kobe didn't love sharing his name with a cut of tender, fatty beef. So, in 2010, he sued the Japanese city of Kobe for the rights to rename their signature product.When asked about the case, his attorney, Jeff Rundvlees, told LA Weekly, "While we are aware the city of Kobe has been around longer than my client, Mr. Bryant has clearly become more famous and influential. I mean, just type 'Kobe' into Google and tell me what comes up first... If Gatorade had a flavor named Kobe and wasn't paying him for it, we'd be suing them too." Steve Jennings/Getty Images for Hublot 4/25 Sued a whole Japanese city As it turns out, Kobe didn't love sharing his name with a cut of tender, fatty beef. So, in 2010, he sued the Japanese city of Kobe for the rights to rename their signature product. When asked about the case, his attorney, Jeff Rundvlees, told LA Weekly, "While we are aware the city of Kobe has been around longer than my client, Mr. Bryant has clearly become more famous and influential. I mean, just type 'Kobe' into Google and tell me what comes up first... If Gatorade had a flavor named Kobe and wasn't paying him for it, we'd be suing them too." Credit: Steve Jennings/Getty Images for Hublot

Kobe Bryant played all 20 years of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five championships. He was the first NBA player to ever play 20 seasons with the same team. Christian Petersen/Getty Images 5/25 A Laker through and through Kobe Bryant played all 20 years of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five championships. He was the first NBA player to ever play 20 seasons with the same team. Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Kobe was originally drafted to the Charlotte Hornets. Then, in July 1996, just two weeks after they chose him as the 13th pick in the first round of the NBA draft, Charlotte traded Kobe to the Lakers for Vlade Divac. Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images 6/25 Almost a Hornet Kobe was originally drafted to the Charlotte Hornets. Then, in July 1996, just two weeks after they chose him as the 13th pick in the first round of the NBA draft, Charlotte traded Kobe to the Lakers for Vlade Divac. Credit: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images

In January 2000, Kobe Bryant released a single with Sony Entertainment, called "K.O.B.E." It featured him rapping about his love for "basketball, beats and broads," and supermodel Tyra Banks singing the hook.There were initially plans for an entire album, called "Visions," which would have been released later that spring. But when the debut single landed like a ton of bricks, Sony dropped the NBA star. Sony Entertainment 7/25 Almost a hip-hop star In January 2000, Kobe Bryant released a single with Sony Entertainment, called "K.O.B.E." It featured him rapping about his love for "basketball, beats and broads," and supermodel Tyra Banks singing the hook. There were initially plans for an entire album, called "Visions," which would have been released later that spring. But when the debut single landed like a ton of bricks, Sony dropped the NBA star. Credit: Sony Entertainment

After living in Italy for a number of years during his childhood, Kobe became fluent in Italian. Stephen Dunn/Getty Images 8/25 Fluent in Italian After living in Italy for a number of years during his childhood, Kobe became fluent in Italian. Credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Growing up in Italy, Kobe grew to love the sport of soccer and its culture. He played in frequent pick-up games at the park, first as a goalie and then as a midfielder.So, when the Chicago Tribune asked him what would have happened if his family had never moved back to the states, Kobe responded, "I would have kept playing, that's for sure. I loved basketball so much, but I also wanted to play for AC Milan." Then he added, "If myself, Tracy McGrady and LeBron James had a soccer ball at our feet instead of a basketball at 2 years old, with our size, it could have been something." Rob Carr/Getty Images 9/25 The next great soccer player? Growing up in Italy, Kobe grew to love the sport of soccer and its culture. He played in frequent pick-up games at the park, first as a goalie and then as a midfielder. So, when the Chicago Tribune asked him what would have happened if his family had never moved back to the states, Kobe responded, "I would have kept playing, that's for sure. I loved basketball so much, but I also wanted to play for AC Milan." Then he added, "If myself, Tracy McGrady and LeBron James had a soccer ball at our feet instead of a basketball at 2 years old, with our size, it could have been something." Credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images

Kobe Bryant has won five NBA titles. The only other LA Lakers with that many rings are Derek Fisher, Michael Cooper, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson.How's that for a five man team? Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images 10/25 Five golden rings Kobe Bryant has won five NBA titles. The only other LA Lakers with that many rings are Derek Fisher, Michael Cooper, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. How's that for a five man team? Credit: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

At the age of 17, Kobe went to his high school prom with Brandy. Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images 11/25 The boy is mine At the age of 17, Kobe went to his high school prom with Brandy. Credit: Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images

On January 22, 2006, Kobe scored 81 points in a single game against the Toronto Raptors.The only player to have ever scored more points than that in a single game was Wilt Chamberlain, who put up 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in 1962. Harry How/Getty Images 12/25 81 points On January 22, 2006, Kobe scored 81 points in a single game against the Toronto Raptors. The only player to have ever scored more points than that in a single game was Wilt Chamberlain, who put up 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in 1962. Credit: Harry How/Getty Images

Kobe was born and went to high school in the Philadelphia area, but fans there took to booing him. A lot of that hometown hatred stems from a comment Kobe made back in 2001, when he told reporters that the Lakers were coming to Philly to cut the 76ers' hearts out. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images 13/25 No love in Philly Kobe was born and went to high school in the Philadelphia area, but fans there took to booing him. A lot of that hometown hatred stems from a comment Kobe made back in 2001, when he told reporters that the Lakers were coming to Philly to cut the 76ers' hearts out. Credit: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Kobe was the first guard to ever be drafted into the NBA straight from high school. Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images 14/25 Big man on campus Kobe was the first guard to ever be drafted into the NBA straight from high school. Credit: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images

In 1997, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player to ever win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Matt Campbell/AFP/Getty Images 15/25 Slam dunk In 1997, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player to ever win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Credit: Matt Campbell/AFP/Getty Images

Kobe wasn't only the first player to play with the same franchise for 20 seasons. He's the first guard to play 20 seasons, period. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images 16/25 Longest playing guard ever Kobe wasn't only the first player to play with the same franchise for 20 seasons. He's the first guard to play 20 seasons, period. Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Kobe's dad, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, was also a professional basketball player. He played in the NBA for eight years with the 76ers, the Clippers and the Rockets, before heading to Europe and playing seven seasons in the Italian leagues. Jeff Gross/Getty Images 17/25 Runs in the family Kobe's dad, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, was also a professional basketball player. He played in the NBA for eight years with the 76ers, the Clippers and the Rockets, before heading to Europe and playing seven seasons in the Italian leagues. Credit: Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Kobe's middle name is Bean, a play on his father's athletic nickname. Stephen Dunn/Getty Images 18/25 Kobe Bean Bryant Kobe's middle name is Bean, a play on his father's athletic nickname. Credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Kobe made the NBA All-Star Game a staggering 18 times. The only player in history with more selections than that is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played in 19. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images 19/25 A true all-star Kobe made the NBA All-Star Game a staggering 18 times. The only player in history with more selections than that is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played in 19. Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Kobe Bryant retired as the all-time highest scoring Laker, and was the fourth-highest scoring player in NBA history, with 33,643 career points. Jonathan Moore/Getty Images 20/25 High scoring Kobe Bryant retired as the all-time highest scoring Laker, and was the fourth-highest scoring player in NBA history, with 33,643 career points. Credit: Jonathan Moore/Getty Images

You have to take a lot of shots to put that many in, though. So, Kobe Bryant will also go down in history as the NBA's all-time leader in missed shots. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images 21/25 Many misses You have to take a lot of shots to put that many in, though. So, Kobe Bryant will also go down in history as the NBA's all-time leader in missed shots. Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Kobe is the proud owner of two gold medals for his work on the U.S. national team at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images 22/25 Gold medalist Kobe is the proud owner of two gold medals for his work on the U.S. national team at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Kobe was named to the NBA all-defensive team 12 times, second only to Tim Duncan's 15. Hector Mata/AFP/Getty Images 23/25 A defensive force Kobe was named to the NBA all-defensive team 12 times, second only to Tim Duncan's 15. Credit: Hector Mata/AFP/Getty Images

Kobe Bryant is tied with Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett and Gary Payton for the most first-team selections of all time. They each have nine.He's also tied with Karl Malone for the most ever All-NBA selections, at 11. Jeff Haynes/AFP/Getty Images 24/25 First-team & All-NBA selections Kobe Bryant is tied with Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett and Gary Payton for the most first-team selections of all time. They each have nine. He's also tied with Karl Malone for the most ever All-NBA selections, at 11. Credit: Jeff Haynes/AFP/Getty Images