<P> The son of former NBA player Joe Bryant , Kobe Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania , where he was recognized as the top high school basketball player in the country . He declared for the NBA draft upon graduation and was selected in the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets , who traded him to the Lakers . As a rookie , Bryant earned himself a reputation as a high - flyer and a fan favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest , and he was named an All - Star by his second season . Despite a feud between them , Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002 . </P>
<P> The son of former NBA player Joe Bryant , Kobe Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania , where he was recognized as the top high school basketball player in the country . He declared for the NBA draft upon graduation and was selected in the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets , who traded him to the Lakers . As a rookie , Bryant earned himself a reputation as a high - flyer and a fan favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest , and he was named an All - Star by his second season . Despite a feud between them , Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002 . </P>
when did kobe start playing for the lakers
when did kobe start playing for the lakers
1996
1996