Facts About Kobe

Some interesting facts about Kobe, of which you may or may not know:

Kobe was named after a type of Japanese steak that his parents saw on a steak-house menu a year before his birth.

Kobe speaks fluent Italian; his family lived in Italy for eight years (1984-1992) while his father played in the Italian professional basketball league.

Kobe went to his prom with Brandy in May 1996.

Kobe’s rap group CHEIZAW consists of him and his friends from Philly. Some of them are: Anthony Banister, Akia Stone, Russell Howard, & Kevin Sanchez.

Kobe’s fave Italian phrases are “Bellissimo tiro!” (Beautiful shot) and “Tira la bomba!” (Shoot the three)

Kobe is mentioned in Brandy Norwood’s ‘thank yous’ on her CD Never Say Never she writes…”Between the first and second album, I managed to graduate from high school, go to Kobe’s high school prom (thanks Kobe) and enroll in college. Oh Kobe, remember what I told you when you first came to the Lakers - about not playing a lot - well, look at you now. You’ve always been a star in my eyes and now you are to the rest of the world. I’m glad we’re friends.”

Kobe wears the number 8 because his uniform number at the Adidas ABCD camp was 143 (1+4+3).

Kobe with his daughter Natalia- Kobe’s middle name (Bean) is short for his father’s nickname, Jellybean.

Kobe says his all time favorite movie is “Star Wars”.

Kobe had the first triple double of his career on January 15, 2001 vs. the Vancouver Grizzlies. He had 11 assists, 11 rebounds, and 26 points.

Kobe married Vanessa Laine in April 2001 and their daughter, Natalia Diamante, was born in January 2003.

In July 2003 Kobe was arrested on suspicion of felony sexual assault in Eagle County, Colorado after an encounter with a woman at his hotel. He said the sex was consensual and she said she was raped. #