Kobe Bean Bryant was a professional basketball player in the United States in NBA. ¹⁾

Kobe's father called him after the expensive and well-known Japanese meat cut, Kobe beef, which he saw on the menu. ²⁾

As it turned out, Kobe did not want to share his name with a cut of tender, fatty beef. So, in 2010, he sued the Japanese town of Kobe for the right to rename their iconic product. ³⁾

Kobe Bryant has spent all 20 years of his career for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five championships. He was the first NBA player ever to play 20 seasons for the same team. ⁴⁾