This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/10/2022
This basketball autographed by the late Kobe Bryant has a cool story behind it. During the spring semester of his senior year at Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia, the 17-year-old's stock was getting hotter and hotter as the 1996 NBA Draft approached. That May, Bryant signed with William Morris Agency for athelete representation and soon after signed a lucrative shoe deal with Adidas for roughly a half million dollars.
On May 25, 1996, the same day as his senior prom, Kobe had his first Adidas TV commercial. His prom date was well-publicized, the Grammy-winning recording artist and actress, Brandy. The production crew had a very tight schedule as they had to film at both Lower Merion Township High School and Kobe’s childhood home in Philly. Just before he left the commercial shoot to go pick up his celebrity date, Kobe signed this basketball for the production crew. Kobe and Brandy reportedly showed up three hours late to the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia for the dance. Just another day in the books for the teenaged superstar and future Lakers legend!
The Spalding Official NBA (David Stern) leather basketball maintains its classic mahogany color and texture, the perfect canvas for a pre-rookie autograph of young Kobe. His bold black marker signature appears 9/10 in our book. This early-era autprgaph style, with his old high school uniform number inscribed, is heavily coveted by basketball collectors. The ball comes with a letter of providence from one of the TV production member and a full LOA from PSA/DNA.