Kobe Bryant is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kobe was born on August 23,1978 is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Kobe Bryant enjoyed his high school years at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school player in the country. He decided to declare his eligibility for the draft after his high school days where over. So Kobe Bryant was selected 13th overall in the NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA draft. Then he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac. His freshmen year as a NBA Guard he was none as a high flyer, more than anything.In 1997 he w.on the slam dunk contest