Kobe Bryant, an American professional basketball player, was the only son of Pamela Cox Bryant and Joe Bryant. Sadly, he lost his life on January 26, 2020, due to a helicopter crash.
His parents were Catholics and played significant roles in shaping his athletic career.
Highlights
- Kobe Bryant’s parents, Joe and Pamela Bryant, signed his first contract with the Lakers when he was only 17.
- His relationship with his parents fell apart when he started dating Vanessa, and they didn’t attend their wedding in 2001.
- His father passed away at the age of 69 due to a massive stroke.
Kobe Bean Bryant began playing basketball at three, and his favorite team was the Lakers while growing up.
He attended Lower Merion High School, where he was named Pennsylvania Player of the Year and earned a fourth-team Parade All-American nomination.
Later, he decided to go directly to the NBA, becoming only the sixth player in its history. His SAT score of 1080 and basketball skills would have ensured admission to any college.
Charlotte Hornets selected him as the 13th pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kobe was a shooting guard who played for the Lakers for 20 years. He is among the most influential players and has won five NBA championships.
He was voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Kobe Bryant’s Parents Signed His First Lakers Contract
Kobe Bryant’s parents supported his athletic career as a child. He was the youngest of three children, raised alongside two sisters, Sharia and Shaya.
He shared a close bond with his siblings until his untimely demise at 41.
Kobe grew up in an athletic family, and his father was a former NBA player and coach.
Likewise, he was the maternal nephew of NBA player John “Chubby” Cox. Pamela married Joe when she was only 21.
Joe retired from the NBA when he was only six and moved to Italy to continue his athletic career. He has played for the Houston Rockets, the San Diego Clippers, and the Philadelphia 76ers.
He played for Olimpia Basket Pistoia from 1987 to 1989, when he was paired with Leon Douglas.
Joe began his coaching career in various countries and even led the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA for a few seasons.
Furthermore, Kobe’s parents named him after the well-known Kobe beef in Japan, which they likely found on a menu at a Philadelphia restaurant.
Likewise, his father’s nickname, “Jellybean,” inspired his middle name, Bean.
Kobe began to pursue basketball seriously, living in Reggio Emilia. He learned more about basketball from animated European films about sports.
Similarly, his grandfather used to mail him NBA game videos, which helped him study basketball more. He worked as a ball and mop boy and practiced shooting at halftime.
At every one of our games at halftime, it was the Kobe show. He’d get out there and get his shot up. We’d come out of the locker room at halftime and have to chase him off the court.
Leon Douglas
He was only 17 when he got into the NBA, and his parents had to co-sign his contract with the Lakers until he turned 18 before the season began.
Unfortunately, his father passed away due to a massive stroke at the age of 69.
Joe And Pamela Faced Backlash After Putting Championship Ring On The Auction
in 2000, Kobe Bryant gave his father his first championship ring, made of 14-karat gold and 40 diamonds. He won it, defeating the Indiana Pacers in the NBA championship.
Similarly, he also gave his mother a replica ring. However, his parents auctioned the first championship ring.
One of Kobe’s championship rings is currently up for auction 😯
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 17, 2024
(Via @TheSiteSupply ) pic.twitter.com/G11Zs14Tr7
It was the second time his parents tried to sell his prized possessions. In 2013, Pamela attempted to auction off more than $1.5 million in memorabilia belonging to him.
Kobe didn’t know about the auction and wasn’t permitted to sell any items.
Later, his parents released a statement apologizing for the misunderstanding and unintended pain they caused their son and for the financial support he had provided over the years.
Kobe had a fallout with his parents when he started dating Vanessa. His parents didn’t even attend their wedding in April 2001.
However, he tried to make amends with his father and mother before tragically losing his life in a helicopter accident with his daughter, Gigi Bryant.
Netizens called the athlete’s parents disgraceful. They stated that Kobe would never sell the championship ring, that it should stay in the family, and that Vanessa Bryant should buy it and keep it safe.
When u give, Give GIVE, and they take Take TAKE, at what point do u draw a line in the sand?
Kobe Bryant
Hurt beyond measure, and finally, love?
Additional Information
- Kobe Bryant married Vanessa Laine on April 18, 2001, and they welcomed four daughters.
- Vanessa filed for divorce on December 16, 2011, citing irreconcilable differences, but announced they had called off their divorce on January 11, 2013.
- Kobe was charged with sexual assault in 2003, but it was dropped after the accuser refused to testify, and a lawsuit was settled out of court.
- His net worth was estimated at $600 million, and he earned $25 million annually during his tragic demise.
