Kobe Bryant

Market outlook

Stable Outlook 8/10

Recent raw base sales show minor decline (-33% in 30 days) but graded high-end holds steady; Kobe legacy sustains floor[1][2]

Next months. Stable with potential uptick in graded 10s

Long term. Rising due to nostalgia and Kobe hall of fame status

History

Kobe Bryant, a basketball legend, was drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft and traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he began his storied career as a second-year player in 1997-98, marking the start of his rise as one of the greatest Lakers and NBA icons with five championships and 18 All-Star selections.

First released in 1997-98 Topps Chrome Basketball set, a flagship product by Topps featuring innovative chrome technology and rookie cards of stars like Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan.

• This is Kobe Bryant's second-year card from his early Lakers tenure.
• Part of the highly regarded 1997 Topps Chrome set known for refractor parallels.
• Base version is one of four tracked variations: Base, Refractor, Destiny, Destiny Refractor.

Rarity and print run

Tier

Common

Print run

High

First printed in

1997-98 Topps Chrome Basketball

Demand

High

Supply

High

• Base version from high print run flagship set
• Not a short print or low-numbered parallel
• Abundant population in graded slabs

Collector notes

Condition. Check for centering issues common in chrome stock, edge chipping or dings from refractor shine, surface scratches on glossy finish, print defects like off-centering or print lines; corners prone to whitening.

Storage. Store in semi-rigid top-loaders with sleeves in cool, dry environment away from sunlight to prevent fading; use card saver II for shipping.

Authenticity. Examine chrome reflectivity and holofoil pattern for fakes; verify print quality and card stock thickness; prefer graded/graded copies; check serial numbers if paralleled, avoid suspiciously low prices.