Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant’s journey to NBA greatness began in Philadelphia. The son of NBA player Joe Bryant, Bryant’s family moved to Rieti, Italy, when he was six years old so his father could continue to play basketball professionally after he retired from the NBA. Bryant, who quickly acclimated to his new surroundings, learned Italian and grew fond of his time spent in the Reggio Emilia region of Italy. It was there that Bryant began to take basketball seriously, and tapes sent over to the young Bryant of NBA games by his grandfather only stoked his passion for the game. When Bryant was 13 years old, the family moved to the Philadelphia suburb of Lower Merion and enrolled in the eighth grade at Bala Cynwyd Middle School. There, Bryant would become a standout on the Bala Cynwyd team, firmly planting the seeds of the legend that would lead to Bryant winning five NBA titles, 18 All-Star selections, and two NBA Finals MVP Awards.

Presented here is a 1992 Bala Cynwyd yearbook signed and inscribed by Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant. Bryant appears bright-eyed in the team photo on page 68 in the center of the 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball team photo. Bryant signed and inscribed, “How could you lose to Ethan. It is alright because you are a still a good player. Hope to see you in South Ardmore. Kobe Bryant” on page 92 of the 98-page yearbook with a red fiber-tip marker. The signature and inscription are clear. The blue yearbook features “1992” and “WE ARE THE FUTURE” labeled in white and silver holographic labeling on the front of the yearbook. The yearbook contains light elements of edging and cornering. The item comes with an LOA from JSA (XX09361) for the signature and letter of provenance from Robert E. Wasserman, Esq., a teammate of Bryant’s on the 1992 team.

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