1996 Upper Deck Kobe Bryant #55

Although Bryant was drafted out of high school, he was raised around basketball all of his life. His father, Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant, played eight seasons in the NBA. Highlights on the card back note his remarkable pre-draft accolades: USA Today High School Player of the Year (1996), Parade Magazine National High School Player of the Year (1996), and Naismith High School Player of the Year (1996). His high school averages at Lower Marion across four seasons culminated in 30.8 PPG as a senior. Drafted on 6/26/96, the front text reads: "Bryant's hoop dreams become a reality lined with royal purple and gold." Card #55 from the 1996-97 Upper Deck base set — a true rookie-year piece of Kobe history.