1996-97 Fleer Ultra Encore Kobe Bryant #266

Thought by some to be destined to wither under the hot lights of LA, Kobe Bryant — whose first name was chosen from a cut of steak — instead showed some sizzle under NBA fire. The teenage protégé of Shaquille O'Neal wowed his peers with a 21-point, 5-rebound, 2-steal effort in a mere 22 minutes versus the Sacramento Kings in early January. This is Kobe's Rookie Encore insert from the 1996-97 Fleer Ultra set, a standout piece from his debut season that captures the earliest glimpse of a future icon wearing #8 for the Lakers. Card is raw and stored in a hard plastic case.