Kobe Bryant 60 Points vs Jazz Playoffs 2007

Lore & Background

Kobe Bean Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was named after Kobe beef by his father, NBA player Joe Bryant. He played high school basketball at Lower Merion High School, where he led the team to its first state championship in 53 years. He opted out of college basketball and declared for the 1996 NBA draft, where he was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick and then traded to the Lakers.

In Their Own Story

The arena hummed with tension, the air thick with sweat and anticipation. Under the bright lights of Staples Center, number twenty-four rose from his crouch, ball in hand. The crowd held its breath as he drove past a defender, launching a jump shot that seemed to hang in the air forever. It swished through the net, adding another tally to an impossible scoreline. He didn't celebrate; he simply turned back toward the bench, eyes locked on the hoop, ready for the next possession.

Reader's Guide

Bryant's individual accolades include 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, and two-time scoring champion. He ranks fourth in league all-time regular season and postseason scoring. He is the Lakers' all-time leading scorer and the NBA's first guard to play 20 seasons. His 18 All-Star designations are the third most ever, and his four NBA All-Star Game MVP Awards tied Bob Pettit's record.

Did You Know?

• Bryant scored a career-high 81 points on January 22, 2006, the third most in an NBA game.
• He won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018 for Dear Basketball.
• The Lakers retired both his jersey numbers, 8 and 24, making him the only NBA player to have multiple numbers retired by one franchise.
• He was posthumously named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021 and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice.