PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020, stood at a height of 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m), as per NBA.

Even with the established standard measurement, there has been ongoing discussion regarding the exact height of Kobe Bryant with the legend once claiming to be 6 ft 7 inches (2 m)

How tall was Kobe when he was 17?

Kobe was just 17 when he entered the NBA and was listed as 6 foot 6 inches (1.98 m).

Interestingly, the Lakers star also came from a family of giants. Reportedly, Kobe Bryant's dad, Joe Bryant, boasts a height of 6 ft 9 in (2.0 m), while his mom, Pamela Cox Bryant, stands at 5 ft 8 in (1.7 m).

When Kobe was a freshman in high school, he measured around 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m)

Remarkably, he entered the NBA Draft at the tender age of 17, requiring his parents to sign his contract on his behalf due to age restrictions.

Kobe played his inaugural professional NBA game at just 18 years and 72 days old, securing a position as one of the youngest players to ever grace the NBA courts.

Bryant likes to hear he's 'growing'

The height discrepancy arised when Bryant told the Los Angeles Times during the 1998 playoffs, “This growth spurt better come fast,”

“I’m 6-7. Barely 6-7...They say I’m growing. That’s news I like to hear".

Standing at an impressive height, Kobe Bryant challenged conventional basketball norms, solidifying his position as one of the greatest players in the sport's history.

However, the journey began when a 17-year-old Kobe entered the NBA, initially listed at 6ft 6 inches (198.12 cm). Like any aspiring teenage basketball player, Bryant nurtured the desire to surpass his current height.

Bryant never set a specific height target for himself.

Nevertheless, in case divine intervention didn't grant him the desired stature, Kobe had a backup plan - unleashing a relentless mindset and a highly competitive approach to dismantle his opponents.

This strategic and determined approach would later come to be recognized as the 'Mamba Mentality' and Bryant consequently idolizing Michael Jordan through and through.

Is Kobe Bryant taller than Michael Jordan?

Michael Jordan's height of 6ft 6 (1,98 m) as per NBA makes him equal to Kobe Bryant's height.

According to Sports Illustrated, since the early days of learning the game of basketball, Kobe harbored a fervent desire to emulate His Airness, Michael Jordan, replicating every move and absorbing the essence of Jordan's psyche.

Interestingly, this deep understanding of Jordan's mindset became a tool for Kobe to tactfully sidestep invitations to join the basketball legend on the golf course.

“Michael is competitive in all things that don't make sense,” Kobe said.