Kobe Bryant

Market outlook

Stable Outlook 5/10

Prices steady with no change in last 30 days for graded 9; consistent low-value sales reflect abundant supply[2]

Next months. Stable pricing in next 3-6 months due to high supply

Long term. Stable to slight rise over 1-3 years from legacy demand, but capped by non-rookie status

History

Kobe Bryant was a legendary NBA player drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 and traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he became a 5-time champion, 18-time All-Star, and Hall of Famer known for his scoring prowess and 'Mamba Mentality.' This 1998 card captures him early in his Lakers career during his sophomore season.

1998, released by Skybox as part of the Metal Universe basketball trading card set.

• Not a rookie card; Kobe's true rookies are from 1996-97 sets like Topps Chrome.
• Base card from the premium Metal Universe set featuring metallic foil design.
• Part of a set with rare parallels like Precious Metal Gems (PMG) limited to /50 and Planet Metal.

Rarity and print run

Tier

Common

Print run

High

First printed in

1998 Metal Universe

Demand

Medium

Supply

High

• Base card from large print run set
• No serial numbering or limited parallels on this exact variant

Collector notes

Condition. Check for centering issues common on foil cards, chipping or scratching on metallic surface, edge wear, and print defects; corners prone to dings.

Storage. Store in semi-rigid holders or top-loaders with sleeves to prevent foil scratching; keep in cool, dry environment away from sunlight to avoid oxidation.

Authenticity. Verify Skybox hologram and metallic foil texture; compare to known raw sales; for high-value parallels like PMG, check serial numbering; use graded/graded population reports.