Kobe announced himself in his rookie season with a Slam Dunk title at the 1997 All-Star Game. ... Kobe Bryant – No.8 Vs. No.24. Young Kobe arrived in the NBA wearing jersey number 8.

The Lakers legend played 10 seasons wearing the No. 8 jersey and 10 with the No. 24, which is why 8/24 is celebrated as Kobe Bryant Day.

Bryant put on a show in the Slam Dunk Contest in 1997, even if the rookie wasn't wearing his iconic No. 8 for much of it. Bryant was a two-time scoring champ, winning one in each jersey number.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant always had a flare for the dramatics, and that was certainly the case in the final game ...

That Bryant also scored 81 points in a 2006 game against Toronto — second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 in 1962 — and also won a slam dunk contest, becoming the youngest player to do so at ...

Kobe Bryant believed LeBron James would finish second in the 2010 Dunk Contest behind Lakers teammate Shannon Brown.

"I wouldn't even try to compare Kobe Bryant to Russell." Bill was also a champion off the court Russell was a five-time NBA MVP who won an unprecedented 11 NBA championships in 13 NBA seasons played.

“Kobe Bryant, one of my favorite athletes of all time,” Hopkins said. “I knew if I ever got a chance to wear No. 8, just like when I put when I picked No. 10. (Lionel) Messi was my favorite ...

Kobe, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020 at age 41, along with 13-year-old daughter Gianna, wore the number 8 while on the Los Angeles Lakers before switching to the number 24.