ProDraftWeb

NBA Draft -1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13th overall Selected by the Charlotte Hornets Pro career-1996–present 5× NBA Champion (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) 2× NBA Finals MVP (2009–2010) NBA Most Valuable Player (2008) 13× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2011) 2× NBA scoring champion (2006–2007) 9× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2011) 2× All-NBA Second Team (2000–2001) 2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005) 9× All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003–2004, 2006–2011) 2× All-Defensive Second Team (2001–2002) NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997) 4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011) NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1997) Naismith Prep Player of the Year (1996) Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978) is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school basketball player in the country. He decided to declare his eligibility for the NBA Draft upon graduation, and was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. As a rookie, Bryant earned himself a reputation as a high-flyer and a fan favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest. Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002. A heated feud between the duo and a loss in …

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