Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978) is an NBA basketball player.
Bryant is the son of NBA player Joe Jellybean Bryant and his wife Pamela Cox, sister of NBA player John Chubby Cox.
Kobe Bryant entered the NBA at the age of 18, and was originally selected by the Charlotte Hornets.
Within weeks of being drafted, Kobe Bryant was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Though young and somewhat introverted, Bryant's immense talent made an immediate impression with his teammates on the practice court.
Kobe Bryant's career trajectory as an NBA player out of high school has been exceptional. By 24 years of age, Bryant had won many individual awards, and had been named to the All-NBA team multiple times. He is regarded as one of the best players in the NBA. Kobe Bryant helped the Los Angeles Lakers to three NBA championships.
Kobe Bryant's youth, style, good looks and accomplishments on the basketball have made him one of the most popular and most marketable players in the NBA. He speaks fluent Italian and Spanish.
He married Vanessa Cornejo Ubrieta Laine on April 18, 2001 in Dana Point, California. Kobe's father Joe Jellybean Bryant broke relations with his son because he objected to this marriage on the basis of the bride's race.
His daughter Natalia was born on January 19, 2003.
On July 17, 2003, he was charged with sexual assault by the Eagle County, Colorado District Attorney's Office, after allegedly performing nonconsensual sex acts on a Colorado woman who was visiting Bryant's hotel room. Kobe Bryant was set for a crucial court on October 9, 2003. The trial would be run by Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett.
