1996 Fleer Ultra Rookie Kobe Bryant #52

What's the word in Italian for "Showtime"? You might ask Kobe Bryant — raised in Italy as a result of his father (former NBA pro) Joe "Jellybean" Bryant's overseas playing career. Kobe's phenomenal basketball prowess, including an eye-popping 30.8 ppg average as a senior in high school, shows he acquired more than a foreign language from his dad. Standing 6'6" and weighing 200 lbs, born August 23, 1978, Bryant entered the NBA straight out of Lower Merion High School and immediately made his mark on the Los Angeles Lakers as a guard/forward with explosive athleticism and a star-level skill set well beyond his years.