According to Arn Tellem, Bryant's agent on the time, Bryant taking part in for the Charlotte Hornets was "an impossibility". However, Bill Branch, the Hornets' head scout at the time, mentioned that the Hornets agreed to commerce their draft selection to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier than selecting Bryant. The teams agreed to the commerce the day earlier than the draft and the Lakers informed the Hornets whom to decide out five minutes earlier than the pick was made. Branch said that prior to the commerce agreement, the Hornets never even thought of drafting Bryant. Prior to the draft, Bryant had labored out in Los Angeles, where he scrimmaged in opposition to former Lakers gamers Larry Drew and Michael Cooper and, in accordance with then-Laker supervisor Jerry West, "marched over these individuals". On July 1, 1996, West traded his starting heart, Vlade Divac, to the Hornets in exchange for Bryant's draft rights.

Bryant's longtime head coach Phil Jackson noted a big difference during his two Lakers coaching stints in Bryant's demeanor in the direction of his teammates. Bryant dunking towards the Milwaukee Bucks, 2013Bryant was main the league in scoring by way of a lot of the primary 42 games. With a disappointing 17–25 start to the season, D'Antoni had Bryant became the primary facilitator on offense and Nash was moved off the ball and became more of a spot-up shooter. In the subsequent three games, Bryant had at least 10 assists in three wins with a three-game complete of 39 assists, probably the most in his career. He missed a triple-double in each sport with 9 rebounds twice and eight in the different.

Exactly three years and at some point after he ruptured his Achilles, Bryant ended his career with a legendary 60-point efficiency on the Lakers’ home flooring. The settlement resolves any future claims by Bryant’s three surviving daughters, related points pending in state court docket, and different prices. A proposed settlement order, which a choose must approve, was filed Tuesday in federal court docket. Bryant's path to NBA stardom was primarily his birthright. His father, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, performed for varied teams within the league starting in 1975, eventually moving abroad with 6-year-old Bryant to play in Italy for a quantity of years. Bryant's middle name, Bean, is a by-product of his father's nickname.

Kobe’s journey represented hope, demonstrated overcoming, and displayed household legacy in a method we don’t typically see from someone like him. Vanessa Bryant shared a series of sweet snaps of her 6-year-old daughter Bianka, whom she shares with the late Kobe Bryant on her birthday. Playing basketball, the primary target is always on winning and winning championships. Championships come and go, however when you actually need to create something that lasts generations, you must help encourage the next generation.

Bryant was averaging 13.eight points, 6.3 assists, and four.3 rebounds. Despite being sidelined, he was voted by fans to begin in his sixteenth All-Star sport. Bryant didn't feel he was deserving of the choice, and a few likened it to a career achievement award for his previous efficiency. However, he missed enjoying in the sport, still hampered by his knee. On March 12, 2014, the Lakers dominated Bryant out for the rest of the season, citing his need for more rehab and the limited time remaining within the season. At the time, the staff was 22–42 and tied for the worst document within the Western Conference.

These included being named Naismith High School Player of the Year, Gatorade Men's National Basketball Player of the Year, a McDonald's All-American, a first-team Parade All-American and a USA Today All-USA First Team participant. Bryant's varsity coach, Greg Downer, commented that he was "a complete player who dominates" and praised his work ethic, even as the group's top participant. In 1996, Bryant took R&B singer Brandy to her Hollywood High senior prom. Ultimately, the 17-year-old Bryant determined to go directly into the NBA, changing into only the sixth player in NBA historical past to do so. Bryant's information was met with lots of publicity at a time when prep-to-pro NBA gamers were not very common . His basketball abilities and SAT score of 1080 would have ensured admission to any faculty he chose, however he did not formally visit any campuses.

I will at all times be grateful for his belief and his friendship and loyalty. People can say whatever they need about Kobe, however Kobe don’t take no shit from no person. People think of Kobe for all that skillful basketball stuff, however not for the fact that, when you stepped as much as him, he’d struggle again. Or if you clubbed him or hit him, he’d make you pay. That’s ’cause Mamba would actually take your head off to win the sport, man.

Bryant shooting in opposition to Marcin Gortat of the Washington Wizards, 2014Bryant resumed practicing in November 2013, after the 2013–14 season had already begun. On November 25, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers at an estimated worth of $48.5 million. He remained the league's highest-paid player, although he accepted a reduced deal; he had been eligible to receive an extension starting at $32 million per 12 months. Bryant resumed playing on December 8 after lacking the season's first 19 games. On December 17, Bryant matched his season high of 21 points in a 96–92 win over Memphis, however he suffered a lateral tibial plateau fracture in his left knee that was anticipated to sideline him for six weeks. He had played six video games since coming back from his Achilles injury, which included time at level guard after injuries to Nash, Steve Blake, and Jordan Farmar.