Early Life and Education of Kobe Bryant: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Kobe Bryant. A timeline of key moments.

Kobe Bryant was a celebrated American professional basketball player, renowned as one of the greatest and most influential figures in the sport. Spending his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, he achieved remarkable success, securing five NBA championships. Bryant's exceptional skills and dedication earned him numerous accolades, including 18 All-Star selections, 15 All-NBA Team honors, and 12 All-Defensive Team selections. He was named the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player and twice earned the title of NBA Finals MVP. Bryant's scoring prowess is evident in his fourth-place ranking in both regular season and postseason league history. Posthumously, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and recognized as part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

August 23, 1978: Kobe Bryant's Birth

On August 23, 1978, Kobe Bean Bryant was born. He would become an American professional basketball player.

1987: Father Played for Olimpia Basket Pistoia

From 1987 to 1989, Kobe Bryant's father played for Olimpia Basket Pistoia, where Kobe practiced shooting at halftime during games.

1989: Father Played for Olimpia Basket Pistoia

From 1987 to 1989, Kobe Bryant's father played for Olimpia Basket Pistoia, where Kobe practiced shooting at halftime during games.

1995: Contemplating Going to the NBA

After high schooler Kevin Garnett went in the first round of the 1995 NBA draft, Bryant also began contemplating going directly to the pros.

1995: Adidas ABCD Camp MVP

In 1995, at Adidas ABCD Camp, Bryant earned the senior MVP award while playing alongside future NBA teammate Lamar Odom.

May 1996: Date with Brandy to Senior Prom

In May 1996, Kobe Bryant attended Brandy's Hollywood High School senior prom as her date, after meeting her at a Nike All-Star basketball game.

1996: Bryant goes to prom with Brandy

In 1996, Bryant took R&B singer Brandy to her Hollywood High senior prom.

1997: Appearance on Hang Time

In 1997, Kobe Bryant appeared on an episode of Hang Time.

1998: Guest appearance on All That

In 1998, Kobe Bryant made a guest appearance on the Nickelodeon sketch comedy series All That. He also turned down the role of Jesus Shuttlesworth in Spike Lee's film He Got Game in 1998.

November 1999: Meeting Vanessa Laine

In November 1999, 21-year-old Kobe Bryant met 17-year-old Vanessa Laine while she was working as a background dancer on a music video.

1999: Hand Injury Sidelines Bryant

In 1999, Kobe Bryant was sidelined for six weeks due to a hand injury sustained in a preseason game.

May 2000: Engagement to Vanessa Laine

In May 2000, Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Laine got engaged six months after they met.

April 18, 2001: Marriage to Vanessa Laine

On April 18, 2001, Kobe Bryant married Vanessa Laine at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, California, in a ceremony not attended by his parents.

2001: Season

In the 2001-02 season, Bryant played 80 games for the first time in his career.

January 2002: Home Purchase in Newport Coast

In January 2002, Kobe Bryant bought a Mediterranean-style house for $4 million in Newport Coast, Newport Beach.

January 2003: Birth of Natalia Bryant

In January 2003, Kobe and Vanessa Bryant's first daughter, Natalia, was born.

January 16, 2006: Reconciliation with Shaquille O'Neal

On January 16, 2006, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal made headlines by engaging in handshakes and hugs before a game, signifying a change in their relationship.

May 2006: Birth of Gianna Bryant

In May 2006, Kobe and Vanessa Bryant's second daughter, Gianna Maria-Onore, was born.

2006: Jersey Number Change

Later in the 2006 season, it was reported that Kobe Bryant would change his jersey number from 8 to 24 at the start of the 2006–07 season.

February 9, 2009: ESPN The Magazine Cover

On February 9, 2009, Kobe Bryant was featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine, highlighting his being a big fan of FC Barcelona.

2009: Revealed Mets Fan

During the 2009 National League Championship Series, Kobe Bryant revealed that he grew up a fan of the New York Mets, despite supporting the Los Angeles Dodgers.

December 16, 2011: Vanessa Bryant files for divorce

On December 16, 2011, Vanessa Bryant filed for divorce from Kobe Bryant, citing irreconcilable differences.

2012: "Vino" Nickname

During the 2012 NBA season, Kobe Bryant began referring to himself as "vino" to describe how his play had been aging like a fine wine.

2012: McDonald's All-American

In 2012, Bryant was honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans for his high school play as well as his later accomplishments.

January 11, 2013: Divorce Called Off

On January 11, 2013, Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa announced via social media that they had called off their divorce.

2013: Memorabilia Dispute

In 2013, Kobe Bryant had a legal disagreement with an auction house over memorabilia from his early years that his parents had put up for auction, leading to a settlement.

March 2014: Investment in Bodyarmor SuperDrink

In March 2014, Kobe Bryant established Kobe Inc. and made his initial investment, acquiring a 10% stake in Bodyarmor SuperDrink for $6 million.

January 21, 2015: Bryant Tears Rotator Cuff

On January 21, 2015, Kobe Bryant tore his rotator cuff in his right shoulder. He finished the game playing almost exclusively with his left hand, but underwent season-ending surgery shortly after.

May 2015: Sale of Newport Coast Home

In May 2015, Kobe Bryant sold his Mediterranean-style house in Newport Coast, Newport Beach.

August 22, 2016: Launch of Bryant-Stibel venture capital firm

On August 22, 2016, Kobe Bryant and Jeff Stibel launched Bryant-Stibel, a venture capital firm with $100 million in funding focused on media, data, gaming, and technology businesses.

December 2016: Birth of Third Daughter

In early December 2016, Kobe and Vanessa Bryant's third daughter was born.

August 2018: Coca-Cola's investment in Bodyarmor

In August 2018, The Coca-Cola Company purchased a minority stake in Bodyarmor SuperDrink, increasing the valuation of Kobe Bryant's stake to approximately $200 million.

2018: Launch of Mamba Sports Academy

In 2018, Kobe Bryant and Sports Academy launched Mamba Sports Academy, a joint athletic-training business venture, with locations in California.

January 2019: Expecting Fourth Daughter

In January 2019, Kobe and Vanessa Bryant announced they were expecting a fourth daughter.