Camiseta da Temporada de Rookie de Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Estados Unidos
Fotografia
A rare and extraordinary artifact from the genesis of an icon, Kobe Bryant’s jersey from his 1996-97 rookie debut season represents a tangible piece of basketball history. Worn during his first game (both in the regular season, and preseason) with the Los Angeles Lakers, this jersey encapsulates the very beginning of a career that would transcend the sport. Sotheby’s is privileged to present this significant piece, a testament to Bryant’s emergence as a global phenomenon.
This jersey serves as a bridge between the raw potential of a teenage prodigy and the refined greatness that would follow. The gold and purple threads bear witness to the first moments of his NBA journey —the fearless dunks, the confident shot attempts, and the quiet but unmistakable evolution of a legend in the making. This jersey is more than a collectible; it is a symbol of ambition, perseverance, and the indomitable spirit of the ‘Black Mamba.’
The 1996-97 NBA season marked the debut of an 18-year-old Kobe Bryant, a talent whose arrival heralded the beginning of one of the most illustrious careers in basketball history. Drafted 13th overall and swiftly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant entered the league as a sensation from Lower Merion High School, possessing a level of confidence and competitive fire that belied his youth. Though his statistical output in his rookie campaign—7.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game—was modest, it was not the numbers but the moments that defined his first season. In every move, every possession, and every challenge he embraced, Bryant exhibited the tenacity, resilience, and insatiable hunger for greatness that would later be immortalized as the "Mamba Mentality."
Nowhere was this better displayed than during the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend, where Bryant, the youngest player to ever participate, electrified the crowd en route to winning the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. His performance—highlighted by an array of dynamic, Jordan-esque slams—was not just an exhibition of his athletic prowess but a declaration that he was ready to take center stage.
Perhaps the defining moment of Bryant’s rookie season—and an early testament to his legendary work ethic—came in the 1997 Western Conference Semifinals against the Utah Jazz. Thrust into a high-stakes playoff battle, Bryant, unfazed by the pressure, confidently took crucial shots down the stretch. The result? Four airballs in five minutes. What could have been a demoralizing experience instead became the ultimate teaching moment. Rather than shy away from the failure, Bryant famously internalized it, using it as fuel for his rigorous offseason training, a characteristic hallmark of his Mamba Mentality. Years later, he would recall this moment as essential to his growth, proving that true greatness is forged in the crucible of adversity.
It is in this rookie campaign that the foundational elements of Bryant’s mythos began to take shape—his fearless approach, relentless self-belief, and drive to outwork his peers. The glimpses of brilliance seen in his early years would soon crystallize into the skill set that made him a five-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and one of the greatest to ever play the game. The 1996-97 season may not have been filled with statistical dominance, but it was a necessary prelude to a story of unrelenting excellence, proving that legends are not simply born—they are built, one challenge at a time.
The jersey has been photomatched by MeiGray, SIA and PSA, and is presented with accompanying certificates.
The jersey has been photo-matched to the following dates:
October 1, 1996: Kobe’s 1st NBA Media Day
October 16, 1996: NBA Preseason Debut
October 18, 1996: Preseason vs. 76ers
November 3, 1996: NBA Regular Season Debut
November 10, 1996: Lakers vs Hawks
November 15, 1996: Clippers vs Lakers
November 20, 1996: Utah vs Lakers
Texto da Sotheby's.
Nota do blog 1: Brand Champion, mesh jersey, size 44.
Nota do blog 2: Data 2025 / Crédito para Sotheby's.
