10 facts about amazing Kobe Bryant

More than Jordan

Most people, for example, probably know that Kobe Bryant is one of the highest scoring players of all time. But did you know he's actually scored more points than Michael Jordan?

Kobe's father named him after the expensive and renowned Japanese cut of meat, Kobe beef, after seeing it on a menu.

As it turns out, Kobe didn't love sharing his name with a cut of tender, fatty beef. So, in 2010, he sued the Japanese city of Kobe for the rights to rename their signature product.

Kobe Bryant played all 20 years of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five championships. He was the first NBA player to ever play 20 seasons with the same team.

Kobe was originally drafted to the Charlotte Hornets. Then, in July 1996, just two weeks after they chose him as the 13th pick in the first round of the NBA draft, Charlotte traded Kobe to the Lakers for Vlade Divac.

In January 2000, Kobe Bryant released a single with Sony Entertainment, called "K.O.B.E." It featured him rapping about his love for "basketball, beats and broads," and supermodel Tyra Banks singing the hook. There were initially plans for an entire album, called "Visions," which would have been released later that spring. But when the debut single landed like a ton of bricks, Sony dropped the NBA star.

After living in Italy for a number of years during his childhood, Kobe became fluent in Italian.

Growing up in Italy, Kobe grew to love the sport of soccer and its culture. He played in frequent pick-up games at the park, first as a goalie and then as a midfielder.

Kobe Bryant has won five NBA titles. The only other LA Lakers with that many rings are Derek Fisher, Michael Cooper, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson.