Bryant, Kobe

Bryant, Kobe (kō'bē brī'unt) [key], 1978–, American basketball player, b. Philadelphia. The son of former professional basketball player Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, he was a high school star, turned pro at 17, and debuted with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1996. A Lakers superstar in the 2000s, the agile and aggressive 6-ft 6-in. (198-cm) guard has been a consistent high scorer from the court and free-throw line. In a game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006 Bryant scored 81 points, second only to Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game. His career has been marred by a 2003 sexual assault charge (which, though dropped, led to an out-of-court settlement) and public squabbles with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal and Coach Phil Jackson.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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