The Rookie Era (1996-1997)
This era features his highly sought-after rookie cards released by numerous manufacturers including Topps, Fleer, Upper Deck, and Skybox. These cards captured the excitement around Kobe's entry into the league directly from high school.
At age 17, Kobe Bryant publicly announced his decision to skip college and declare for the NBA draft directly from Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania. During his final high school season in 1996, he led his team to a state championship and was named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year and Gatorade National Player of the Year. And in June of 1996, he was selected as the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets, but a pre-arranged trade sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers for center Vlade Divac. In July, the trade was finalized after Vlade Divac agreed to the move to Charlotte. By November 3rd, 1996, an 18-year-old Bryant made his official NBA debut for the Lakers against the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the youngest player at the time to ever play in an NBA game.
An “expensive” card is relative. $40-50 for Topps, relative to SPx and Flair Showcase and Bowman's Best and UD3 and Finest, and even mid brands like Z-Force and Skybox Premium and Metal and SP...is expensive. Relative to its actual card relatives, other flagship products like Hoops and Fleer and Upper Deck, it's basically a full blown anomaly. It’s not signed, it’s not a refractor either.. it’s just a regular #138. I think the newer generation of collectors tricked themselves into thinking it's nicer than it is due to the popularity of Topps Chrome. At release it was one of his lowest-end, least desirable RCs. The fact that it sells for more than Metal and Ultra combined, that it's even remotely close in value to Finest or Bowman's Best, can be seen as absolute insanity. In some folks’ opinion, it's one of the most overvalued cards in the hobby. To me, however, it’s a nice rookie. Jordan.. Lebron .. Kobe rookies.. you can’t miss. They’ve secured their legacies as the three GOATs of basketball, and if you like it -then purchase one. They’re not rare, it’s a flagship rookie and the price has swung many times over the years. The fact that it’s relatively affordable is not a bad thing.. Oh, and unlike the refractor version? You won’t have to worry about greening that happens on the foil versions of these cards!
In 1996, Kobe Bryant was drafted straight out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He made his NBA debut that season at the age of 18, becoming the youngest player in NBA history at the time. As a senior at Lower Merion High School, Bryant was a national sensation, earning Naismith High School Player of the Year and leading his team to a state championship. During his rookie year, Bryant mainly came off the bench but quickly became a fan favorite, winning the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Topps produced a 55-card boxed set for each of the four major sports, and with their club membership, members received one set of their choice and had the option of purchasing additional sets for $15.00 each. The 50 Stadium Club Cards in the basketball set represent the top NBA players in each division. The five Topps Rookie player cards (51-55) represent the top players from the 1996-97 NBA season and are all given a special Finest style foil coating. The color, action photos on the fronts are full-bleed with the player in a gold circle and carry the distinctive Topps Stadium Club Members Only gold foil seal. The backs presented a second color photo and the player’s profile. As you’ll notice, this card came with a coating and it still has not been removed since being manufactured!
By the end of the season, Kobe averaged 15.5 minutes a game. During the All-Star weekend, he participated in the Rookie Challenge and won the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest, becoming the youngest to do so at 18 years old.
The top trending card in 1996 Pacific Power is Kobe Bryant’s Regents of Roundball. In his rookie season of 1996-97, Kobe Bryant averaged 7.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in the 82 games played for the Los Angeles Lakers. As a rookie in 1996, Bryant mostly came off the bench behind guards Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. At the time, he was the second-youngest player ever to play in an NBA game, and also became the youngest NBA starter.
1997 was the last year where inserts in Ultra were really memorable. After the first lockout, the quality of inserts really dropped. There were quite a few inserts in this set, 19 to be exact. This “Jam City” depicts Kobe Bryant who would mostly come off the bench behind guards Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. At the time, he was the second-youngest player to ever to play in an NBA game, and also became the youngest NBA starter (18 years 72 days).
