Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant’s buzzworthy entrance to the NBA came at a time when there was considerable public debate surrounding the NBA’s practice of drafting talent out of high schools. Of concern was the fact that in the event a player’s career was shortened by injury or other factors, that player may have few options in terms of finding a new vocation. While the debate continues to rage on, one thing is clear: for Kobe Bryant, his arrival to the NBA couldn’t have come at a better time.

Kobe Bryant may have been destined for NBA fame, given that his father was himself a star player in the league, but it was a lifetime of practice that put him where he is today. A Philadelphia native, Bryant spent a considerable portion of his time in Italy while his dad played in Italian leagues. The experience may have given him the maturity and composure necessary to make it as a rookie in the extremely competitive NBA—a league in which some players are known to indulge in hazing.

Despite whatever difficulties Kobe may have faced adjusting to life in the world’s best basketball league, the then 18-year-old (born August 23, 1978) didn’t let it affect his play. Not only proving himself worthy of being a starter, he went on to be not only the youngest ever NBA player at the time, but it’s youngest ever All Star qualifier. Steadily rising scoring averages have only solidified his reputation, and many followers have noticed that his fast breaks and generally silky smooth playing style is reminiscent of Michael Jordan’s.

Kobe Bryant’s image took a beating over rape allegations, but the matter has since been resolved. While it’s unclear what the overall impact of the incident will be on his legacy, for now the media spotlight has returned to what made him famous—basketball.