A then-18-year-old Bryant wore the famous yellow jersey with the No. 8 during his first media day, his preseason debut and his regular season debut on November 3, 1996, as well as in four other games.

In the 1997 playoffs, Kobe’s numbers stayed mostly the same, averaging 8.2 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 38 percent shooting from the field in nine games.

Story by Kobe Bryant's debut jersey last sold for $115,242 in 2013, but it has since been photo-matched. (cllct photo by Matt Liberman) Will Stern Thu, Apr 24, 2025 · 2 min read ...

Kobe Bryant denied Mike D’Antoni influenced his iconic No. 8 jersey choice, debunking rumors tied to D’Antoni as Kobe’s childhood idol during his Italy years.

Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers debut jersey fetched a record $7 million at a Sotheby's auction, marking a new high for Bryant memorabilia. The jersey, worn during his 1996-97 rookie season ...

Everyone knows how Kobe Bryant almost became a star for the Charlotte Hornets. Not many realize he also had the opportunity to play the New Jersey Nets. The move was supposed to happen at the 1996 ...

A then-18-year-old Bryant wore the famous yellow jersey with the No. 8 during his first media day, his preseason debut and his regular season debut on November 3, 1996, as well as in four other games.

A jersey photo-matched to seven games in Kobe Bryant's 1996-97 rookie season for theLos Angeles Lakers-- including his preseason debut on Oct. 16, 1996; his regular-season debut on Nov. 3, 1996 ...