NBA: Kobe Bryant Factfile
Factfile on 15-time NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant, returning for a 19th NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers after injuries limited him to six games in 2013-14: Name: Kobe Bryant Team: Los Angeles Lakers Position: Guard Born: August 23, 1978 Height: 6feet, 6inches, 1.98m Weight: 220lbs, 99.8kg - Bryant is the son of Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant, who played eight seasons in the NBA - Bryant spent eight years of his childhood with his family in Italy - He has two sisters, Sharia and Shaya - Bryant married Vanessa Laine, April 18, 2001. Daughter Natalia was born in January, 2003; daughter Gianna was born May, 2006 Awards/career highlights - Bryant has five NBA championships -- 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010 - Named NBA Finals MVP in leading Lakers to titles in 2009 and 2010 - Earned Olympic gold medals with USA at 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics - Named NBA regular-season MVP in 2007-08 season - On January 22, 2006 scored 81 points in Lakers' 122-104 victory over Toronto, second-most in NBA history - Selected with 13th overall choice by Charlotte Hornets in 1996 NBA draft, becoming the 27th player to join NBA straight from high school. - Acquired by Lakers shortly after the draft Some of the significant injuries that have sidelined Bryant - Broken metacarpal bone in right hand, 1999-00 season - Right index finger laceration, sprained right shoulder, 2003-04 - Severely sprained right ankle, 2004-05 - Index finger avulsion fracture, right knee swelling, sprained left ankle, 2009-10 - Torn left Achilles tendon requiring surgery, 2012-13 - Broken bone in left knee, 2013-14
