10 incredible facts about Kobe Bryant you never knew but should!

About Kobe Bryant is one of the most influential competitors to have ever played the game of basketball. He is a living legend. As a thin teenager, Kobe grew up in a league of men and became a target for ridicule and praise. Kobe showed flashes of greatness, yet he faced adversity. He shot the ball obsessively and seldom did he make his shots.

Enthusiasts applauded Kobe’s fearlessness, while critics accused him of selfishness. Despite his foes and countless flaws, Kobe would go on to become a prolific scorer.

Indeed, Kobe does have an intimidating ego. The feud between Kobe and his former MVP teammateShaquille O’Neal is well documented. Kobe questioned Shaq’s commitment, while Shaq thought that Kobe was arrogant. Regardless, Shaq and Kobe became one of the most unstoppable guard-post combos the NBA has ever seen.

Kobe and other superstar scorers (like Steph Curry and LeBron James) are basketball legends. Considered to be one of the finest athletes of all time, Kobe impacts the world through his commitment to excellence. He dominated the NBA with his explosiveness, mental edge and will to succeed.

Kobe’s love for competition is timeless, but on November 29, 2015 Kobe announced his decision to retire at the end of this season.

His life is full of twists. He has multiple interests. He seeks advice from the richest people in the world. Without further ado, here are the 10 most incredible things you didn’t know about Kobe Bryant…

1o. Kobe Studied NBA Tapes At 3 

Kobe Bean Bryant was born in Philly, PA. He started playing basketball at the incredibly young age of 2. At 3, Kobe was studying NBA tapes.

Also, Kobe was the youngest of three siblings. An article on the psychology behind ‘youngest children’ states, “The youngest child… discovers that he is surrounded by more capable adults who can do many of the things he can’t do. As a result of this situation the youngest child becomes overly ambitious and highly competitive… The ones who make changes to the world as a result of their extreme ambition and fighting spirit.”

Moreover, Kobe became the third youngest player drafted into the NBA. He was 18. That same year, he became the youngest player to ever win the NBA slam-dunk contest. A year later, Kobe became the youngest player to become a NBA All-Star. He was 19.