Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant wore this purple Lakers road jersey during his rookie season of 1996-97. Bryant was selected with the 13th overall pick of the draft out of Lower Merion High School by the Charlotte Hornets, and immediately flipped to the Lakers with Vlade Divac heading the other way. Bryant played in 76 games for the Lakers his rookie year, coming off the bench to average 7.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3 assists per 36 minutes. Bryant’s rise was extraordinary, and by his sophomore year had already picked up his first of 18 All-Star nods. The lifelong Laker played until the end of the 2015-2016 season and will be inducted nto the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

This purple mesh jersey has “LAKERS” sewn on in white and yellow tackle twill while his now-retired number “8” sewn on the chest in white and yellow tackle twill. “BRYANT” is sewn on in yellow and white tackle twill while the second “8” is sewn on the back of the jersey in white and yellow tackle twill. A gold NBA logo patch is sewn on the chest, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Basketball Association. A Los Angeles Lakers “Body Length +4” tag and a Champion size “46” tags are sewn on the front left tail. The year tag reads, "95-96" and according to the DC Sports LOA was a left over jersey from 1995-96 and when Kobe moved up a size to 46 from 44 during the season used a 1995-96 jersey for some games. The NBA also gave the Lakers extra 1996 Gold patches which were sewn on the jersey and not into the jersey as evidenced in other known authentic rookie season game used jerseys. This jersey comes with a LOA from D.C. Sports Collectibles and a LOA from Sports Investors Authentication (200502G1). 

Please note that this lot has a 25% Buyer’s Premium (28% if payment is made using a credit card and/or is not paid within 10 days of invoice). Goldin Auctions will be donating 5% of the winning bid price to the MambaOnThree Fund.

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