Question: when did kobe start playing in the nba
Answer: 98 m ) Listed weight 212 lb ( 96 kg ) Career information High school Lower Merion ( Ardmore , Pennsylvania ) NBA draft 1996 / Round : 1 / Pick : 13th overall Selected by the Charlotte Hornets Playing career 1996 -- 2016 Position Shooting guard Number 8 , 24 Career history 1996 -- 2016 Los Angeles Lakers Career highlights and awards 5 × NBA champion ( 2000 -- 2002 , 2009 , 2010 ) 2 × NBA Finals MVP ( 2009 , 2010 ) NBA Most Valuable Player ( 2008 ) 18 × NBA All - Star ( 1998 , 2000 -- 2016 ) 4 × NBA All - Star Game MVP ( 2002 , 2007 , 2009 , 2011 ) 11 × All - NBA First Team ( 2002 -- 2004 , 2006 -- 2013 ) 2 × All - NBA Second Team