Kobe Bryant

Athlete2 list appearances

European Formation: Raised from age six in Italy (Rieti, Reggio Calabria, Pistoia, Reggio Emilia) while his father Joe 'Jellybean' Bryant played professional basketball. Became fluent in Italian and Spanish. Returned to the US in 1991, starring at Lower Merion High School in suburban Philadelphia (graduated 1996 with high academic marks and a 1080 SAT score). Took R&B pop singer Brandy to his senior prom before declaring directly for the 1996 NBA Draft. 20-Year Lakers Career (1996–2016): Traded to the Lakers on draft night by the Charlotte Hornets for Vlade Divac. Formed an unstoppable championship tandem with Shaquille O'Neal, executing a 'three-peat' (2000, 2001, 2002) under Phil Jackson. After O'Neal's departure, won consecutive titles as the undisputed leader in 2009 and 2010 (both Finals MVPs). Scored 81 points against Toronto on 22 January 2006. In his final game on 13 April 2016, scored an astonishing 60 points against the Utah Jazz, concluding with "Mamba Out." Post-Career & Academy Award: Founded Granity Studios; wrote and narrated the animated short film *Dear Basketball* (directed by Glen Keane, scored by John Williams), winning the 2018 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film (first professional athlete to win an Oscar). Turned a $6 Million investment in sports drink BodyArmor in 2013 into a $400 Million windfall for his estate when Coca-Cola acquired the company in 2021. Family: Survived by wife Vanessa Bryant (married 2001) and daughters Natalia (born 2003), Bianka (born 2016), and Capri (born 2019); his 13-year-old daughter Gianna 'Gigi' Bryant tragically died alongside him in the helicopter crash.

Frequently Ranked Alongside Kobe Bryant

LeBron James

2 shared lists

Michael Jordan

2 shared lists

Shaquille O'Neal

2 shared lists

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

2 shared lists

Wilt Chamberlain

2 shared lists

Magic Johnson

1 shared list

Larry Bird

1 shared list

Bill Russell

1 shared list