1996 Upper Deck Kobe Bryant #58

Although Bryant was drafted out of high school, he was raised around basketball all of his life. His father, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, played several seasons in the NBA. Standing 6'6" and weighing 200 lbs., Kobe was born on 8/23/78 in Philadelphia, PA and attended Lower Marion High School, where he put up 12.0 RPG and 6.5 APG in his senior season. The front of the card captures a young Kobe with sunglasses perched on his head, accompanied by the note: "6/26/96 — Bryant's hoop dreams become a reality lined with royal purple and gold." A landmark rookie card from his debut Upper Deck release, showcasing the Laker legend at the very beginning of his legendary journey.