As part of the Los Angeles Lakers – who played for over a 20-year career – Kobe Bryant helped the team win the NBA championships and broke records for the amount of points he scored. His life was cut tragically short in a helicopter crash in 2020 but will be remembered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Here are some amazing facts about this Lakers legend.

1. He was named after a type of beef

Kobe Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was named after the famous Japanese beef, Kobe, after his parents saw it on a restaurant menu!

2. He started playing basketball at a very young age

Kobe started playing basketball at the age of three. His father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, was a professional basketball player, and Kobe grew up watching him play in the NBA and overseas.

3. He spoke Italian and loved AC Milan

Kobe spent much of his childhood in Italy while his dad played basketball there. He became fluent in Italian and developed a love for soccer, especially the AC Milan team.

4. He chose basketball over college

In 1996, Kobe made the bold decision to skip college and declare for the NBA Draft straight out of high school. He was selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets but was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers shortly after.

5. He was the youngest NBA All-Star starter in history

Kobe became the youngest NBA All-Star starter in history at 19 years old during the 1998 All-Star Game. His electrifying performance hinted at the legendary career to come.

6. He paired up with Shaq to become a powerful duo

Teaming up with Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe helped lead the Lakers to three NBA championships from 2000 to 2002. This dynamic duo dominated the league and made the Lakers the most feared team in the NBA.

7. He once scored 81 points in one game

On January 22, 2006, Kobe scored an amazing 81 points in a single game against the Toronto Raptors. It’s the second-highest point total in a single game in NBA history. Wilt Chamberlain holds the record with a staggering 100 points.

8. He wore 2 different numbered vests (not at the same time)

During his two-decade career with the Lakers, Kobe wore two jersey numbers: 8 and 24. Both numbers have since been retired by the Lakers, making him the only player in NBA history to have two numbers retired by the same team.

9. He helped the Los Angeles Lakers win the NBA championships 5 times

Kobe won five NBA championships with the Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010). He was named NBA Finals MVP (which stands for Most Valued Player) in 2009 and 2010 for his stellar performances

10. He’s an Oscar winner

After retiring from basketball, Kobe won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018 for Dear Basketball, a love letter to the sport that saw him at the top of his game.

11. He did a lot of charity work

Kobe helped others less fortunate than himself. He founded the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, which focuses on helping young people and families in need.

12. He was a regular in the NBA All-Star game

Kobe was selected to the NBA All-Star Game 18 times, showcasing his brilliant skills and popularity in the sport. He won the All-Star MVP award four times.

13. He was a point-scoring legend

Kobe finished his career as the third all-time leading scorer in NBA history with 33,643 points. His record was later beaten by LeBron James, but his reputation for scoring remains legendary.

14. His final Lakers game was the stuff of legend

In his final NBA game on April 13, 2016, Kobe scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz, leading the Lakers to a comeback victory. It was a fitting end to an extraordinary career.

15. He won gold at the Olympics

In addition to his NBA achievements, Kobe earned two gold medals representing the USA at the Olympics. He won his first gold in 2008 in Beijing and another one four years later in London!