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Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant was a professional basketball player in the United States in NBA. 1)
Named after a steak
Kobe's father called him after the expensive and well-known Japanese meat cut, Kobe beef, which he saw on the menu. 2)
Sued a whole Japanese city
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)
A Laker
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)
Almost a Hornet
Kobe was initially drafted for the Charlotte Hornets. Then, in July 1996, just two weeks after he was selected as the 13th selection in the first round of the NBA draft, Charlotte traded Kobe to the Lakers for Vlade Divac. 5)
Hip-Hop
In January 2000, Kobe Bryant released a single called “K.O.B.E” with Sony Entertainment. It featured him rapping about his love of “basketball, beats and bands” and the supermodel Tyra Banks singing the hook. 6)
Fluent in Italian
After living in Italy for a number of years in his childhood, Kobe became fluent in Italian. 7)
Soccer Player?
Growing up in Italy, Kobe grew up in love with soccer and its culture. He played in regular pick-up games at the park, first as a goalie and then as a middleman. 8)
Five Golden Rings
Kobe Bryant won five NBA titles. The only other LA Lakers with so many rings are Derek Fisher, Michael Cooper, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. 9)