7 NBA Legends talk about how aggressive young Kobe was.

Kobe Bryant, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, left an indelible mark on the sport and its fans. Born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kobe was introduced to basketball at an early age by his father, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, a former NBA player. Kobe's prodigious talent was evident from the start. He skipped college and entered the NBA directly from high school in 1996, joining the Los Angeles Lakers as the 13th overall pick.

During his 20-year career with the Lakers, Kobe became synonymous with excellence and competitiveness. Known as the "Black Mamba," his work ethic and relentless pursuit of greatness were legendary. He won five NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVP awards, and was an 18-time All-Star. His scoring ability was unmatched, highlighted by an 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, the second-highest point total in a single game in NBA history.

Off the court, Kobe was a successful businessman, filmmaker, and philanthropist. He won an Academy Award for his animated short film "Dear Basketball" in 2018. Tragically, Kobe's life was cut short on January 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash that also claimed the lives of his daughter Gianna and seven others. Kobe Bryant's legacy endures through his contributions to basketball, his inspirational persona, and his impact on countless lives worldwide.