Bryant’s early story, respectfully and honestly told in The Rise, will be fascinating for fans of the late star, but it also proves to be an extraordinary case study in what’s possible for young people when they have the right blend of talent, opportunity, direction, and focus.

Thanks to a deep connection to Philly’s scholastic basketball scene – high school and college alike – Sielski is uniquely suited to bring forth the story of Kobe Bryant before he was KOBE BRYANT.

Stories gleaned from those interviews are complemented by interviews with more than 100 other people in Kobe’s life at the time. The result is a compelling origin story of a time that really wasn’t so long ago, but through the lens of tragedy, feels like forever.

... exclusive input, meticulous research, and a smooth narrative style.

Armed with invaluable primary-source material, along with interviews with Bryant’s high-school coaches and other figures in Bryant’s life, Sielski draws an affecting portrait of young Bryant, a man among boys on the basketball court, but also a curious, tentative, sweet, fish-out-of-water kid feeling his way to adulthood—in other words, how Kobe became Kobe..

... riveting.

A winning portrait.