The Birth of a Champion

Kobe Bryant (in full, Kobe Bean Bryant) was born in August 23, 1978 in the city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania. He was the son of a former professional basketball player in NBA, Joe Bryant , also known as "Jelly Bean". His family was Catholic which influenced his faith throughout his life. Kobe Bryant's passion for basketball was ignited by his father at a young age of 3.

When he reached the age of 6, his father retired from the NBA and moved his family to Rieti, Italy to continue his professional basketball career. Kobe spent his next years on the town of Reggio Emilia. Where he learned his first tricks in basketball. Two years later, he joined a team in Reggio Calabria, where he earned a "Player of the Year" award. As soon he became 12, he joined the local youth basketball team where his brilliant aptitude to the sport was evident to his fellow teammates.

"When he moved to Reggio Emilia and started playing in my team, it was immediately clear he was from another planet, a cut above us all," - Davide Giudici, a longtime friend and a former teammate