Kobe Bryant was born in 1978 and played high school basketball in Pennsylvania before being drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he has played ever since. Bryant spent part of his childhood in Italy playing basketball and wore number 8 for 10 seasons before changing to number 24 for a new beginning in his career. He has had an illustrious career winning 3 championships and making 7 All-Star teams as well as 6 All-Defensive teams while improving his scoring average over his career.

1. KOBE BRYANT By Samuel Shon IT101-013

2. Kobe Bryant was born on August 23, 1978. He played for Lower Merion High School, PA before being drafted by the NBA. He was selected 13 th overall in the 96-97 draft by the Charlotte Hornets, but was soon traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He has been playing for the Lakers ever since. So far in his career, he has been a 7-time Allstar, 6-time Defensive Team, and 3 Championships. I chose to do my topic on Kobe Bryant because I have watched him play for the Lakers ever since I was an elementary student. I saw him play as a rookie, and am still watching him play in the NBA.

3. Bryant spent eight years of his childhood at Italy. Even when he was in Italy, he still played basketball in the many children leagues.

4. Kobe Bryant wore #8 for 10 seasons. He changed his number to #24 to sort of symbolize a new beginning in his career.

5. CAREER Bryant has been improving throughout his career. Although he averaged just 8.2 points per game his rookie year, he is currently averaging 32.8 as the leader of the Lakers and leading the league in points per game.