1996 Topps Bowman's Best Rookies Kobe Bryant #R23

Kobe Bryant's 1996 Bowman's Best Rookies card highlights the jaw-dropping prep pedigree that made him the most hyped straight-from-high-school prospect of his era. The back notes he was the 1995–96 Pennsylvania High School Player of the Year, the all-time PA scoring leader with 2,883 points, and averaged a staggering 30.8 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 6.5 APG, 4.0 SPG, and 3.8 BPG as a senior. He twice dropped 50 points in 32-minute high school games and led Lower Merion High School to a 77–13 record. Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets 13th overall in 1996 and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on 7-11-96, Bryant — born 8-23-78 in Philadelphia, PA — arrived in the NBA as a 6'6", 200 lb guard. The card's Super Skill reads: "Supernaturally skilled, explosive to the rim."