ContestsEvents

Kobe Bryant Trivia on his birthday: Craig’s Wiki-Pete-ia

Kobe Bryant

Aug 1998: Portrait of Kobe Bryant during a conference at an Adidas promotional tour of Sydney, Australia. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

Yesterday was Sister Jean's birthday.  Today would have been Kobe Bryant 's 44th birthday.  So, naturally today will be Kobe Bryant trivia for Wiki-Pete-ia on the Shemon and Sheppard Show.

In case you are not fortunate enough to be lucky caller number nine at 239-337-ESPN, then you are in luck!  Play at home and dazzle your family!  Stump your co-workers with useless knowledge!  Amaze your friends with your newfound intelligence!  Below are the actual questions AND ANSWERS heard during Wiki-Pete-ia on our show.

Before Kobe passed away tragically in a helicopter crash on January 26th, 2020, he was just settling into his post playing career.  On his way to winning five NBA titles with the Lakers he was one of the most exciting players I've ever seen.  There is a short list of athletes that gave every ounce of their talent every minute they played and he's is on that list.  His post-playing career was morphing into more time as a dad and projects outside of basketball that won him an Academy Award.  So today, we will remember one of the greatest Lakers, and one of the greatest players of all time.  It's time for Kobe Bryant Trivia.  It's time for Wiki-Pete-ia!   Good luck to you!

1. WHAT NBA TEAM DRAFTED KOBE?

A: CHARLOTTE

17 Aug 2001: Kobe Bryant launches the Adidas Kobe Two Range in Berlin. Mandatory Credit: Jamie McDonald/ALLSPORT

2. WHERE WAS KOBE BORN?

A: PHILADELPHIA

8 Jun 2001:Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers exchange words in game two of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 98-89. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Gross/Allsport.

3. IN 1996 KOBE WAS THE 13TH PICK OF THE DRAFT. WHO WAS #1 THAT YEAR?

A: ALLEN IVERSON

391596 02: Basketball stars Kobe Bryant, right, presents Shaquille O''Neal an award during the 16th annual Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular Banquet at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Harry How/Allsport/Getty Images)

4. IN 2010 KOBE SURPASSED WHO AS THE LAKER'S ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER?

A: JERRY WEST

21 Jun 2000: Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to reporters during the Lakers Victory Parade in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Jeff Gross /Allsport

5: IN 1996 WHO DID THE LAKERS ACTUALLY DRAFT IN THE FIRST ROUND?

A: DEREK FISHER

LOS ANGELES - JUNE 4: Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks for an open man during Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on June 4, 2000 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 98-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)

6. WHERE DID KOBE GO TO HS?

A: LOWER MERION

13 Mar 2000: Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a crossover move against James Posey #41 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.

7. WHAT WERE KOBE'S TWO JERSEY NUMBERS WITH THE LAKERS?

A: 8, 24

Aug 1998: Kobe Bryant with a Didgeridoo at a press conference during an Adidas promotional tour of Sydney, Australia. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

8. HOW MANY TIMES WAS KOBE THE LEAGUE MVP?

A:  1

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 07: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds up the MVP Trophy before the start of Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Utah Jazz during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)*** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant

9. WHAT WAS KOBE'S JERSEY NUMBER FOR TEAM USA?

A:  10

LAS VEGAS - JULY 24: Kobe Bryant #10 of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team poses after a practice at Valley High School June 24, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

10: WHY DID KOBE CHOOSE #10 FOR HIS TEAM USA NUMBER?

A:  He said Messi was the greatest athlete he ever saw.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 16: Leo Messi (L) of Barcelona FC competes for the ball with Manuel Ronaldo Iturra (R) of Malaga CF during the Copa del Rey Quarter Final match between Barcelona FC and Malaga CF at Camp Nou on January 16, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
Craig Shemon has been hosting afternoons on ESPN Southwest Florida since 2017. Prior to that he was a nationally syndicated host in Los Angeles at FOX Sports Radio and in Houston at Yahoo! Sports Radio. Along the way Craig did play-by-play for the NFL on FOX, NFL Europe, Big Ten Network, and The Citadel Radio Network. Craig is a native Detroiter and Indiana University graduate. He has been known to proudly display his Detroit and IU fandom on the air. Craig likes to write about athletes, create quizzes, and covers big sports headlines.