In 1996 basketball player Kobe Bryant decided to move directly from high school to the National Basketball Association (NBA). When he entered his first game for the Los Angeles Lakers he became the youngest player in NBA history. Skipping college did not mean that Bryant did not value education. His decision meant he wanted to learn about his chosen profession--basketball--from the best teachers in the world.

Growing up

Father's footsteps

Kobe (pronounced Ko-bee) Bryant was born on August 23, 1978. He was one of three children of Joe and Pam Bryant. Bryant's first name comes from a type of steak his parents saw on a restaurant menu prior to his birth.

Bryant's father--Joe (Jellybean) Bryant--was a professional basketball player. He played eight seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego (now Los Angeles) Clippers, and Houston Rockets. Joe Bryant averaged 8.7 points and 4.0 per game rebounds during his career.

Bryant...