Kobe Bean Bryant is one of the greatest players ever to have played the game of basketball. The Los Angeles Lakers legend was the face of the Lakers franchise for the entirety of his career. The Philadelphia native was a high school kid when he declared for the 1996 NBA Draft. In the history of the NBA, the 1996 NBA Draft class is one of the best.

Kobe was already league-ready when he completed high school. He had a great offensive arsenal and was great under pressure. Charlotte Hornets selected him as the thirteenth overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. But then they traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers on the draft night itself in return for All-Star center Vlade.

Bryant was already a star before he entered the league. He signed a $2 million contract with Adidas in high school. A resurfaced article recently talked about Kobe’s celebrity prom date and how it went.

Watch This Story: Michael Jordans 5 Rumored Affairs After Divorce with Juanita Vanoy

According to the article, Bryant had met singer and actress Brandy Norwood at the Essence Awards that April at Madison Square Garden, and was instantly smitten. “He came home from the Essence Awards and said, ‘I met such a nice, beautiful, intelligent, sweet person,'” Kobe’s mother, Pamela Bryant, told the Philadelphia Daily.

After getting permission from Brandy Norwood’s mother, they both agreed to go on the prom date. After the dance, Kobe, Brandy, and some friends went to Atlantic City for a late dinner and, Brandy later divulged to the Philadelphia Daily News, “I pecked him twice. His lips were so soft.”

Kobe – The Mamba mentality that continues to live on

A whole generation of players had Kobe Bryant as their idol. They based their game on Kobe’s and wanted to shoot the ball like him and defend like Kobe. Bryant was this generation’s Michael Jordan and also had a great work ethic. He was always the first one to practice and the last person to leave.

READ MORE – Shaquille O’Neal Was Once Destroyed by Angry Father for Bratty Behavior Despite Cars and Houses: “Pressure is when you don’t know when your next meal is coming”

Kobe was a five-time NBA Champion with the Lakers.

He was the heart and soul of the Lakers and will forever remain so. What is your favorite memory of Kobe Bryant? Let us know in the comments.