1996 SkyBox Kobe Bryant #281

Selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round (13th overall pick) of the 1996 NBA Draft, Kobe Bryant's draft rights were immediately acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac on July 11, 1996. A Philadelphia, PA native born on August 23, 1978, Bryant arrived in the NBA as a high school phenom — the all-time leading scorer in Southeastern Pennsylvania history with 2,883 points, breaking marks held by Wilt Chamberlain and former St. Joseph's player Carlin Warley. As a senior, he was selected by USA Today and Parade Magazine as the National High School Player of the Year, averaging 30.8 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, four steals, and 3.8 blocked shots per game. The card carries a gold "R" rookie stamp on the front, marking the beginning of an all-time great NBA career.