Lakers cards worth collecting: Kobe Bryant rookie card
You know this is coming. Kobe Bryant’s tragic death in early 2020 shook Laker nation to its core and spurred a desire to collect even more Bryant-based memorabilia for fans who watched him lead this franchise to five titles over the years.
Bryant rookie cards will be pricier given his legacy and his unfortunate passing. Even more rare will be autographed cards given the unfortunate reality that there will be no more fresh Bryant autographs in future basketball card packs.
Graded cards typically run a few hundred dollars at least depending on the card type and grade, but fans can find ungraded Bryant rookie cards for $10-20 in some cases on the aftermarket.
Bryant is still the franchise leader in games, minutes, field goals, and points. He comes second to only Magic Johnson in assists.
His mark on the franchise is unlike any other. Kicking off his career in LA, he never left and brought five titles to an already decorated franchise in the process. He shifted the game of basketball and was the GOAT torch-bearer after Michael Jordan. Even at his worst, running out of gas, he still found a way to score over 60 points in his final game as a Laker.
The emotions are raw for Lakers fans and basketball fans everywhere when it comes to Bryant, and a rookie card is a solid add to any Lakers collection that pays homage to a legend and all that he did for this franchise on the court.
If you’re looking to add a Kobe rookie to your collection, eBay is the best spot for bids and buy-it-now options. Here’s a look at what is currently available.