This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/31/2012.
Kobe Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school basketball player in the country. He decided to declare his eligibility for the NBA Draft upon graduation, and was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, then traded to the Lakers. As a rookie right out of high school, Bryant earned himself a quite a reputation. Bryant led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002. He led the NBA in scoring during the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, setting numerous scoring records in the process. In 2006, Bryant scored a career-high 81 points, the second most points scored in a single game in NBA history, second only to Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game in 1962. He was awarded the regular season's MVP in 2008 and led the Lakers to two consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010, earning the NBA Finals MVP Award on both occasions. Kobe wore this jersey during the pre-season of 1996. He then sat out the Lakers home opener and made his debut on November 3, 1996 wearing this jersey. On the left front tail is the “Champion” manufacturer’s tag with wash instructions and jersey size “44”. Adjacent is a second “Champion” tag with “Designed & Tailored EXclusively for Los Angeles Lakers 96-97 Body Length + 4”. Across the front is “LAKERS”. Player number “8” appears on both the front and back. Player name “BRYANT” appears on back. All numbers and letters are done in purple on white tackle twill. On the left breast is the official NBA embroidered logo done in gold. On the inner waistband of the matching shorts is the “Champion” manufacturer’s tag with wash instructions and size ”38”. Adjacent is a second “Champion” tag with “Designed & Tailored Exclusively for Los Angeles Lakers” and player number “8” written in black marker. In the lower inseam are four flag tags, “100% Nylon”, “3 Inch Extra Inseam”, “2 Inch Extra Rise” and “1996-1997”. On the lower right leg is the official NBA embroidered logo done in gold. The uniform shows evidence of extensive laundering and is discolored. The jersey and shorts are properly tagged, were presented to us as game-used and in our opinion, show excellent use. Accompanied by a DC Sports LOA.
Please note that a correction and/or update has been made to this lot and the printed catalog differs from what is online.
The two Kobe images seen at left are from games on October 16th (Kobe's preseason debut) and November 3rd (Kobe's regular season debut) respectively. The game against the Mavericks on Oct. 16 was Kobe's preseason debut, and not the final preseason game as originally stated in the lot description. Kobe played in the game against the 76ers on Oct. 18th (preseason) as well, and after that the Lakers also played in preseason games on Oct. 19th and Oct. 22th (based on Getty Images info and the video on YouTube: which is posted below).