Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978 (23/08/1978)) is a professional basketball player who plays guard for the Lakers in the National Basketball Association. Bryant enjoyed a successful basketball career school in Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the best basketball player in the country school. He decided to declare their eligibility for the NBA Draft after graduating, and was selected with 13 overall selection in NBA Draft 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets, then traded to the Lakers. As a rookie, Bryant earned a reputation as a great traveler and a fan favorite to win the Slam Dunk Contest 1997.
Bryant and teammate Shaquille O’Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002. After O’Neal’s departure after the 2003-04 season, Bryant became the cornerstone of the Lakers franchise. He led the NBA in scoring during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, setting numerous scoring records in the process. In 2006, Bryant scored a career-high 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, second most points scored in a single game in NBA history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s performance of 100 points. In the 2007-08 season, won most of the regular season Valuable Player Award (MVP). After losing in the 2008 NBA Finals, Bryant led the Lakers to two consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010 and was named NBA Finals MVP both times.
Bryant currently is the fourth and twelfth in scoring both the league after the season and all-time scoring list, respectively. It is also the top scorer of all-time Lakers team history. Since its second year in the league, Bryant has begun on all NBA All-Star Game to be held with twelve All Star appearances, winning the All-Star MVP three times (2002, 2007 and 2009). He is a member of twelve time All-NBA team and ten-time All-Defensive team, and is the youngest player in defensive honors. In the 2008 Olympics, won a gold medal as a member of Team USA national. Bryant was named NBA player of the decade of TNT and The Sporting News.
In 2003, Bryant was accused of sexual assault at a hotel in Edwards, Colorado, by a hotel employee. Bryant admitted an adulterous sexual encounter with the accuser, but denied the allegation of sexual assault. In September 2004, prosecutors dropped the case after his accuser informed them that he was unwilling to testify.