KOOBE BRYANT!

American sports hero

Meet the greatest basketball player in the world...

If you say the name "kobe bryant" to Americans, they will think of one thing: basketball. In Los Angles, everyone knows American star Kobe Bryant. He is rich, talented and one of the best basketball players in the world.
Kobe plays in the NBA (National Basketball Association) for the Los Angeles Lakers team*- He has been with the team for 15 years- that's a long time for an NBA player. And Kobe keeps getting better and better. "I'm chasing* perfection", he says.

Young sportsman

Kobe Bryant has basketball in his blood*. His fater, Joe Bryant, was a professional basketball player, and kobe started playing when he was just two years old.
When he was six years old, Kobe's family meved* to Italy because his father got a job playing basketball there. They stayed for eight years, and Kobe learned to speak Italian. He also started playing football with the Italian boys.

Showing his talent

But Kobe always prefeerd basketball and wanted to become a great player. His grandfather sent him videos of NBA games, which he studied to improve his skills*. At age 14, Kobe went back to the USA. He played for his high* school basketball team and soon began to impress* people.

Kobe's ideal job


In 1996, Kobe's dream* came true. At 19 years old, he was selected to play for the Los Angles Lakers. The Lakers are one of the world's greatest basketball teams. Kobe has won five cahmiponship* titles with the team from 2000 to 2010.


Rich and famous

Kobe is paid 20 million dollars a year to play for the Lakers! The money has certainly changed his life. But he knows how luchy* he is too. When he flies* over Los Angeles is his helicopter, he asks himself" how did this happen? This is Crazy!".


Fans love him

Kobe has fans all over the world, and they are very loyal. His fans have woted for him to play in the last 12 NBA all-Star Games.
The All-Star Game is in February, and only players with the most votes can play. Last year, over 2.4 millions fans voted for him.
Each year, the All-Star Game takes* place in a differennt city. This year, it will be in Los Angeles. so Kobe will feel* at home.

Michel Jordan fan


Kobe is often compared to Michael Jordan, The greatest basketball player in history. Kobe needs to win one more NBA title to equal* Jordan's record. Kobe is a fan of Jordan, but he is happy with who he is: " I don't want to be the next Michael Jordan. I want to be Kobe Bryant".