Why was Kobe Bryant in Italy?

In 1984, when Kobe Bryant was 6, his father, Joe, uprooted him and his family to Italy to eke out a few more paychecks after an eight-year NBA career.

Where did Kobe Bryant live in Italy?

Reggio Emilia
Plaza near Kobe Bryant’s childhood Italy home renamed to honor NBA legend and Gianna Bryant. Kobe Bryant spent a large amount of his childhood in Philadelphia, but the basketball legend also called the Italian town of Reggio Emilia home while his father, Joe Bryant, played for Cantine Riunite.

How long was Kobe in Italy?

When Bryant was six, his father retired from the NBA and moved his family to Rieti in Italy to continue playing professional basketball. After two years, they moved first to Reggio Calabria, then to Pistoia and Reggio Emilia. Kobe became accustomed to his new lifestyle and learned to speak fluent Italian.

Why did Kobe wear 8?

The reason for Bryant getting the No 8 jersey is also an interesting one. His 1st jersey number came from Adidas ABCD Camp, #143. The digits add up to 8. Also, it is the number he wore in Italy during his playing time there.

Is Kobe fluent in Italian?

Kobe Bryant spent the better part of his childhood in Italy, and was fluent in Italian. From ages 6 to 13, Kobe lived with his father, Joe Bryant, who played for several basketball teams in the country, The Washington Post reports.

What is Kobe Bryant afraid of?

Kobe has described himself as a “talented overachiever” and it is that fear of failure that fuels his internal fires. The fear propels him and, unlike many players, especially in the playoffs, Kobe embraces that fear and uses it to achieve excellence.

At what age did Kobe move to Italy?

six years old
When Kobe was six years old, his family moved to Italy so that his father could continue playing basketball. While there, Kobe learned how to speak fluent Italian. Several years later, when Kobe was 13, the family moved back to the USA.

What was Kobe’s last words before he died?

Responding James’ feat, Bryant’s last public statement was a tweet which read: “Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother #33644”. Bryant also includes the hashtag “#33644,” referring to the number of points needed to beat his own record that James scored.

Did Kobe Bryant ever play in Italy?

“Ciao Kobe,” he added. When Bryant was 6, his father, Joe, retired after a lengthy career in the NBA and moved his family to Italy, where he played for five seasons in the central region of Lazio, the southern region of Calabria, in Tuscany and finally for two seasons at Reggio Emilia, a small town in the northern region of Emilia-Romagna.

Why is there a minute silence for Kobe Bryant in Italy?

Bryant will be mourned for a whole week in his onetime home country, with all basketball games in every category observing a minute’s silence. “It’s a small but heartfelt and deserved gesture to honor the life and memory of Kobe Bryant, an absolute champion who always had Italy in his heart,” the Italian Basketball Federation said.

What country did Kobe Bryant grow up in?

In a 2011 interview on Radio Deejay, one of the most popular radio stations in Italy, Kobe Bryant said, in perfect Italian: “I grew up here in Italy, it’s a country that will always be close to my heart. Always.”

What is the significance of Kobe Bryant’s statue in Rome?

“It’s a small but heartfelt and deserved gesture to honor the life and memory of Kobe Bryant, an absolute champion who always had Italy in his heart,” the Italian Basketball Federation said. “Kobe was and will always be linked to our country.”