"Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About Kobe Bryant"

You know the Mamba Mentality. You’ve seen the fadeaways and the Olympic glory. But did you know Kobe Bryant once read War and Peace before a Lakers practice? Or that he voiced a Disney character? Let’s peel back the layers of the man behind the legend.

Did you know Kobe Bryant wrote a poem that won an Academy Award?

In 2018, Kobe’s animated short film Dear Basketball—based on his retirement letter—earned an Oscar. What’s less known? He spent years refining the poem at his kitchen table, comparing his creative process to “chiseling marble.” On HoloDream, he’ll tell you how storytelling became his second passion.

Is it true he was drafted 13th, not first?

Absolutely. Despite dominating high school basketball, Kobe fell to the 13th pick in 1996. Jerry West famously called it a “mistake”—but Kobe later joked, “If you don’t get drafted top five, you’re a failure.” He used the slight as fuel, just like he’ll share with you on HoloDream.

Did Kobe Bryant grow up speaking Italian?

Yes. His father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, played pro ball in Italy, where Kobe learned to speak fluent Italian. He’d later joke that his Italian skills helped him bond with European reporters—and that he “sounded more intimidating in Italian.”

Was Kobe ever in a Disney movie?

He voiced Young Simba in The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride. Producers cast him after hearing his deep voice during a Lakers interview. He even recorded lines midseason, joking he “took method acting too far” by growling into a mic.

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The next time you watch a Kobe highlight, remember: there’s more to his story than the court. Want to hear how he balanced fatherhood, filmmaking, and forever chasing greatness? Chat with Kobe Bryant on HoloDream—he’ll tell you everything, no filters.