20 Amazing Kobe Bryant Facts You Should Know

The Youngest Player in The NBA

Back in 1996, Kobe was the youngest player in the history of the NBA at that period. He had just recently turned 18. In fact, he was 18 years, 2 months and 11 days. Since then, younger players have joined the NBA, such as Andrew Bynam, who was 18 years old and 6 days when he played his first game, and Jermaine O’Neale, who was 18 years old and 53 days when he entered the NBA.

Kobe Bryant was drafted as the first guard straight out of high school. The NBA had their eyes on him for a long time and knew they wanted him, as soon as his age qualified him to enter the game. When the Lakers picked Kobe, he was only 17 at the time, and he didn’t have full consent to sign his own contract. His parents had to help out and cosign his Laker’s contract, making everything legal before the beginning of the season.