CHILDHOOD:
Kobe Bean Bryant was born August 23, 1978 in Philadephia, Pennsylvania. Influenced by his father, Joe Bryant, a former Philadelphia 76er, Kobe played the sport of basketball at just age three. Bryant continued to play in Philadephia until age six, where his father left the NBA and moved to Rieti, Italy. Joe continued to play professional basketball in Italy until 1991 when the Bryant family returned to the United States.
Wolves Weekly 