1.Kobe seriously pursued a rap career, which culminated with a single appropriately titled "K.O.B.E."
2.He speaks fluent Italian.
3.It's well known that he was the first guard in NBA history to be drafted straight out of high school, but he was first drafted to the Hornets, not the Lakers.
4.Kobe took R&B singer Brandy to his high school prom.
5.Yes, Kobe's parents named him after Japanese beef.
6.And his middle name is Bean.
7.Kobe wears a brand new pair of kicks at every game.
8.Despite wearing jersey numbers 24 and 33 in high school, Kobe chose 8 when he entered the pros for a number of personal reasons.
9.When 24 became available, he famously switched jerseys.
10.He sometimes passes the ball to himself and believes it should count as an assist as well as a basket.
11.He considers himself a normal guy, just like you and me! (lol).