The Rise Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Q: What is *The Rise* by Mike Sielski about?

*The Rise* chronicles Kobe Bryant’s formative years, from his childhood in Philadelphia and Italy to his high school basketball stardom and 1996 NBA draft selection. It explores his relentless ambition, family influences, and the cultural forces that shaped his early career, using exclusive interviews and never-before-released tapes from his teenage years.

The Rise

Mike Sielski

4.07 (1048 Reviews)

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Before Kobe became legend, he was just a Philadelphia kid with NBA dreams. "The Rise" unveils never-before-released interviews revealing the young mind that would become Mamba. Even non-basketball fans are captivated by this origin story that Billy King calls "a must read."

What is The Rise by Mike Sielski about?

The Rise chronicles Kobe Bryant’s formative years, from his childhood in Philadelphia and Italy to his high school basketball stardom and 1996 NBA draft selection. It explores his relentless ambition, family influences, and the cultural forces that shaped his early career, using exclusive interviews and never-before-released tapes from his teenage years.

Who should read The Rise by Mike Sielski?

Basketball enthusiasts, biography readers, and anyone interested in athlete psychology will find value. The book appeals to those seeking insight into Kobe’s pre-fame journey, his relationship with his father Joe Bryant, and how Philadelphia’s basketball culture fueled his rise.

Is The Rise worth reading?

Yes. Sielski’s access to rare interviews and his nuanced portrayal of Kobe’s early flaws and triumphs offer a fresh perspective. The book balances admiration with objectivity, making it essential for understanding Bryant’s evolution from prodigy to icon.

How does The Rise explore Kobe Bryant’s high school career?

It details his leadership of Lower Merion High School’s 1995–96 Pennsylvania state championship team, highlighting his unmatched work ethic and the pressure he faced as a teenage phenom. Sielski emphasizes how this underdog victory foreshadowed Kobe’s NBA resilience.

What role does Joe Bryant play in The Rise?

Joe, Kobe’s father and former NBA player, is portrayed as a pivotal influence. His experiences in Philadelphia’s playground basketball scene and overseas leagues shaped Kobe’s skills and competitive mindset, bridging generational basketball cultures.

Does The Rise include interviews with Kobe Bryant?

Yes. The book features taped interviews Kobe gave during his senior year of high school, revealing his unfiltered goals, self-doubt, and unwavering confidence in his future success.

How does The Rise portray Kobe’s work ethic?

It depicts his obsessive dedication, including predawn training sessions and meticulous game analysis. Teammates and coaches describe how his intensity sometimes alienated peers but cemented his legendary status.

What makes The Rise different from other Kobe Bryant biographies?

Focusing solely on his pre-NBA years, it avoids rehashing well-known Lakers stories. Sielski’s Philadelphia roots and access to untapped sources provide unparalleled depth on Kobe’s adolescence.

Does The Rise cover Kobe’s time in Italy?

Yes. The book examines how living in Italy during his father’s overseas career exposed Kobe to international basketball and isolation, fueling his self-reliance and cross-cultural adaptability.

How does The Rise handle critiques of Kobe Bryant?

It acknowledges his early arrogance and strained relationships without sensationalism. Sielski contextualizes these traits as byproducts of Kobe’s singular focus on greatness.

What are the main themes in The Rise?

Key themes include ambition vs. ego, familial legacy, and the paradox of isolation in team sports. The book also critiques how media narratives shape young athletes’ identities.

How does The Rise set up Kobe’s NBA journey?

It concludes with the 1996 draft, where the Lakers acquired him. Sielski hints at how Kobe’s formative lessons in Philadelphia prepared him for the pressures of professional stardom.

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Key takeaways

The Philadelphia Roots and European Foundation

00:00

Before the five championships, before the 81-point game, before the Lakers dynasty, there was a skinny kid from the Philadelphia suburbs with an Italian accent and unshakeable confidence. When Kobe Bryant died in January 2020, the world paused in collective grief, but few understood how deeply his Philadelphia roots shaped the legend he would become. At Lower Merion High School, young Kobe wasn't just making bold claims about his future - he was methodically laying the foundation for what would become the Mamba Mentality. As a teenager, he would tell anyone who would listen: "I'm going to be a pro someday." This wasn't teenage bravado; it was prophecy. The Bryant family's journey shaped Kobe in profound ways. His father Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, standing 6'9" with extraordinary coordination, possessed guard-like skills despite his height. Growing up in dangerous West Philadelphia, basketball became Joe's sanctuary - a lesson in survival that would later influence his approach to fatherhood. After playing for the 76ers, Joe's career took the family to Italy when Kobe was six, transforming their lives. In their cottage in Rieti, young Kobe spent afternoons at his father's practices and evenings studying NBA videotapes sent by his grandfather, absorbing every nuance and recreating moves with rolled-up socks when no basketball was available. What if Kobe had grown up entirely in America? Would the same hunger have developed? Those formative Italian years gave him something invaluable - perspective, discipline, and a worldview few American teenagers possessed.

The Outsider's Journey at Lower Merion

Forging the Mamba Mentality

Building a Championship Team at Lower Merion

The Championship Run and NBA Secret Plan

From Lower Merion to the Lakers

The Legacy That Lives On

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@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

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