This document provides biographical information about NBA star Kobe Bryant. It details that he was born in 1978 in Philadelphia, attended Lower Merion High School, and was drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996. Kobe has spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning 3 NBA championships. The document shares various career highlights and stats for Kobe, as well as quotes about his skills and work ethic from others like Shaquille O'Neal and coaches.

1. Lingva Presentation by Gruja Kobe Bryant basketball player Position: Guard Born: 08/23/78 Height: 1,98 m Weight: 99,8 kg High School: Lower Merion (PA)

2. Born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The son of famed NBA star Joe "Jellybean" Bryant Attended Lower Merion High School Went to NBA straight from High School 13th pick in the First Round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets His first NBA team is Los Angeles Lakers and he is still there He wears a jersey with number 8 on it About Kobe

3. Kobe was named after a "Kobe" steak listed on the menu of a Japanese restaurant or, depending on the source, was named for the Japanese Restaurant itself - His mother's name is Pamela Bryant - He has two sisters, Sharia and Shaya Kobe's father, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, played eight seasons in the NBA, for the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, Houston Rockets. Joe scored a career high 34 points for the 80-81 Clippers and averages 8.7 points in 606 games Kobe is fluent in Italian after spending eight childhood years in Italy, where father Joe was finishing his pro career - Kobe owns a professional Italian league basketball team - High School Coach: Gregg Downer - Kobe took pop music star Brandy to his high school prom - He lists "Star Wars" as his all-time favorite movie - In May, 2000, Kobe became engaged to Vanessa Laine, a senior at Marina High School - In April, 2001, Kobe married Vanessa Laine in a private ceremony at Dana Point, CA - His daughter’s name is Natalia Something interesting about Kobe

4. Selected by USA Today and Parade Magazine as the National High School Player of the Year as a senior at Lower Merion H.S. Made his NBA debut at the age of 18 years, 2 months and 11 days old, became the youngest player ever to appear in an NBA game, against the Minnesota Timberwolves on 11/3/96 Made his first career start, scoring 12 points, against the Dallas Mavericks on 1/28/97 Became the youngest All-Star in NBA history, posting a team-high 18 points and 6 rebounds, in the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York Won the Nestle Crunch Slam Dunk during the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland and participated in the Schick Rookie Game, posting a rookie game-record 31 points and 8 rebounds Was named MVP of the 2002 All-Star Game after tallying 31 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists Made an NBA-record 12 shots from 3-point range, including 9 straight His 9 straight 3-pointers is also an NBA single-game record Three NBA championship titles with LA Lakers Career Highlights

5. Points 56 vs. Memphis 1/14/02 Field Goals Made 21 vs. Memphis 1/14/02 Field Goals Attempted 47 @ Boston 11/07/02 Three Point Field Goals Made 12 vs. Seattle 1/07/03 Three Point Field Goals Attempted 18 vs. Seattle 1/07/03 Free Throws Made 23 @ Cleveland 1/30/01 Free Throws Attempted 26 @ Cleveland1/30/01 Offensive Rebounds 8 @ Dallas 4/18/00 Defensive Rebounds 10 - 4 Times Total Rebounds 15 - 2 Times Assists 14 - 2 Times Steals 6 - 3 Times Blocks 5 - 3 Times Minutes Played 54 vs. Houston 2/18/03 Career Highlights

6. 2002-03 Statistics PPG 29.7 RPG 6.90 APG 5.9 EFF +27.68 What others said about Kobe… "Kobe is really a gifted young player,“ said GM of Charllote Hornets Jerry West about Bryant, who was 17 at the time. “ Kobe plays the best basketball I’ve ever seen,” said Utah’s playmaker Mark Jackson. “ Kobe is a complete player and nobody can stop him now,” said his collegue from Lakers Rick Fox. “ Kobe plays fantastic this season. He is the only candidate for MVP title. He made all the records… He sometimes inspires me, too.” said Shaq. “ In normal situations I don’t approve so much shootin’ from hard positions, but Kobe shot as good as possible so it would be complete madness to stop him from shooting,” says Tex Wintrer, Kobe’s coach assistant.

7. What Kobe said about the others… -about MJ- “ After Magic, Barkley, Wilkins went, Jordan was the only one left from that brilliant generation. He’s everybody’s idol, not only mine. I’m delighted because I was at the All-Star Game with him. That was his last All-Star game. He’s retiring. That game was something special, for remembering. I respect him very much.” -about Peja Stojakovic- “ Peja is fantastic player, I like the way he plays. He has great shoot, he is a good assistant and rebounder. Complete player. He’s my favourite European player.” -about Shaq- “ Shaq is my buddy and I know that he wants me to be MVP, but that’s important title so I have to go through it by myself. I need him for winning the fourth championship. And fifth, sixth…”

8. Other interesting stuff Bryant made over 10000 points in his career and is the youngest player who overcame that number of points Two times this season he made over 50 points in one game He is waiting the day when he will be able to play for the US National Team Since his daughter’s birth he is different man, he says. Just after he came to NBA, Charlotte traded Bryant’s signing rights to the LA Lakers for Yugoslavian center Vlade Divac

9. Kobe’s shoes Kobe wore Adidas shoes and he had a contract with this company which payed him a few million dollars to wear their equipment. He is now promoting some of the Reebok and Nike stuff. When Bryant signs his new deal (with Nike or Reebok), he will have to pay close to $8 million to Adidas for leaving the company seven months ago after a six-year relationship.

10. Some pictures from Kobe’s High school days…

11. Some exclusive photos of Kobe

12. Some exclusive photos of Kobe

13. The End presentation made by gruja * e-mail: vadamp@ptt.yu This was a short story about my favourite basketball player – KOBE BRYANT