KOBE BRYANT

KOBE BRYANTHis parents named him after a type of steak (Kobe) seen on a restaurant menu prior to his birth. Spent eight years of his childhood in Italy and is fluent in Italian. Has two older sisters, Sharia and Shaya. His father, Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant, averaged 8.7 ppg in 606 career games in the NBA. Was named MVP of the 2002 NBA All-Star Game. Won the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Competition.