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, a legendary shooting guard, dedicated his 20-year NBA career to the Los Angeles Lakers. Widely considered one of basketball's all-time greats, he secured five NBA championships, earned 18 All-Star selections, and received the 2008 NBA MVP award. Bryant also claimed two NBA Finals MVP titles and two scoring championships, holding the fourth position in all-time regular season and postseason scoring. Posthumously honored on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, he was a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

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 a celebrated American professional basketball player.

Others born on this day/year

1987: Father Plays for Olimpia Basket Pistoia

From 1987 to 1989, Kobe Bryant's father, Joe Bryant, played for Olimpia Basket Pistoia. Kobe worked at the games as a ball and mop boy and practiced shooting at halftime.

1989: Father Plays for Olimpia Basket Pistoia

From 1987 to 1989, Kobe Bryant's father, Joe Bryant, played for Olimpia Basket Pistoia. Kobe worked at the games as a ball and mop boy and practiced shooting at halftime.

1995: Considering Going Pro

In 1995, after Kevin Garnett's successful entry into the NBA, Kobe Bryant began contemplating going directly to the pros from high school.

May 1996: Brandy's date to senior prom

In May 1996, Kobe Bryant was Brandy's date to her Hollywood High School senior prom.

1996: Decision to enter NBA directly

In 1996, Kobe Bryant, at 17 years old, decided to enter the NBA directly from high school, becoming only the sixth player in NBA history to do so.

2000: Declined to play in Olympics

In 2000, Kobe Bryant declined to participate in the Olympics due to his upcoming wedding during the off-season.

January 2002: Purchased House in Newport Coast

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

January 2003: Birth of First Daughter, Natalia

In January 2003, Kobe and Vanessa Bryant welcomed their first daughter, Natalia.

2005: Vanessa Suffered Miscarriage

In the spring of 2005, Vanessa Bryant suffered a miscarriage due to an ectopic pregnancy.

May 2006: Birth of Second Daughter, Gianna

In May 2006, Kobe and Vanessa Bryant's second daughter, Gianna Maria-Onore (Gigi), 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 5, 2008: Finger injury

On February 5, 2008, Kobe Bryant suffered a significant injury to his shooting hand's small finger, including a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament and an avulsion fracture. Despite the severity, Bryant chose to play all 82 games of the regular season instead of undergoing surgery.

September 2008: Decision to forego pinkie surgery

In early September 2008, Kobe Bryant chose not to undergo surgery to repair his right pinkie injury.

February 9, 2009: Featured on ESPN The Magazine Cover

On February 9, 2009, Kobe Bryant was featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine for being a fan of FC Barcelona, not for basketball.

2009: Revealed Mets Fanhood

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

April 13, 2011: Fine for using a gay slur

On April 13, 2011, the NBA fined Kobe Bryant $100,000 for directing a gay slur at referee Bennie Adams in frustration during the previous day's game. Bryant later apologized for his language, and the Lakers released a public service announcement denouncing his behavior.

December 16, 2011: Vanessa Bryant Filed for Divorce

On December 16, 2011, Vanessa Bryant filed for divorce from Kobe, citing irreconcilable differences, and the couple requested joint custody of their daughters.

2012: Achilles Tendon Injury

During the 2012-13 season, Kobe Bryant suffered a torn Achilles tendon, impacting the later years of his playing career.

2012: Began Referring to Himself as "vino"

During the 2012–13 season, Kobe Bryant began referring to himself as "vino" to describe how his play had been aging like a fine wine.

January 11, 2013: Bryants Called Off Divorce

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

2013: Legal Disagreement Over Memorabilia

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.

January 21, 2015: Bryant Tears Rotator Cuff, undergoes season-ending surgery

On January 21, 2015, Kobe Bryant suffered a rotator cuff tear in his right shoulder during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans and underwent season-ending surgery for the injury. He finished the season averaging 22.3 points.

May 2015: Sold House in Newport Coast

In May 2015, Kobe Bryant sold the house he had purchased in Newport Coast in January 2002.

December 2016: Birth of Third Daughter

In early December 2016, Vanessa Bryant gave birth to their third daughter.

January 2019: Announcement of Fourth Daughter

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

June 2019: Birth of Fourth Daughter

In June 2019, Kobe and Vanessa Bryant welcomed their fourth daughter.

January 2020: Helicopter Crash in Calabasas

In January 2020, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, along with seven others, tragically died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, leading to global tributes and memorials.

January 26, 2020: Kobe Bryant's Death

On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant tragically passed away. He was an American professional basketball player. His death marked a profound loss in the basketball community and beyond.