Bryant's second jersey number, No. 24, was the number he wore early in his basketball career while playing at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Kobe Bryant was always the same hardworking player regardless of which jersey he wore.
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Why Kobe number is 24?
From the 2006-07 season Bryant decided to change his jersey number to No. 24. It was the number he wore in his early basketball playing days. About the jersey number 24, Kobe said “Then 24 is a growth from that.
Was Kobe 24 or 8?
Kobe Bryant played in the NBA for 20 years and left an unforgettable legacy in the hearts of NBA fans. While it's an honor to get a jersey retired by a franchise, Kobe has done it twice. The two jersey numbers, #8 and #24, which Kobe wore during his career, are hanging in the rafters of Staples Center.
When did Kobe wear 8 and 24?
Prior to Bryant, no NBA player had ever had two jersey numbers sent up to the rafters by the same team. He wore the No. 8 jersey from the 1996-97 season to 2005-06, and then wore No. 24 from 2006-07 until the 2015-16 season.
When did Kobe become 24?
2006-07So before the 2006-07 season, he switched to 24 to begin a clean slate. "Then 24 is a growth from that," he told ESPN in 2017. "Physical attributes aren't there the way they used to be, but the maturity level is greater. Marriage, kids.
Why Kobe changed 8 to 24?
According to Baxter Holmes of ESPN, his original number came from Adidas ABCD Camp, 143, whose digits add up to 8, as well as the number he wore in Italy. The Lakers star switched to No. 24 in the 2006-07 season, the number he had in high school at Lower Merion.
What were Kobe's last words?
Kobe shared some last words of wisdom and motivation before his heartbreaking death. “Hello everyone, I'm so sorry can't be with you tonight,” he said in a video posted on Twitter.
Is number 24 retired for the Lakers?
Exactly four years ago today, the Lakers retired Kobe's No. 8 and No. 24 jersey and hung them up with the likes of George Mikan, Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson, and others. Bryant is the only player to have more than one number retired with a franchise.
How long did Kobe Bryant wear 24?
Inside Kobe's career wearing No. 24Wilt Chamberlain118Michael Jordan31James Harden23Elgin Baylor17Kobe Bryant wearing No. 24145 more rows•Aug 24, 2021
Why did LeBron change his number to 6?
23 in homage to his idol, Michael Jordan, and would only change to No. 6 when rules stated that double-digit numbers were not permitted. With the United States national team and the Miami Heat he therefore wore No. 6, choosing the number in tribute to his eldest son, LeBron James Jr, who was born on October 6, 2004.
Why did Kobe wear 8?
Bryant came into the NBA wearing No. 8, the sum of the digits on his jersey (143) at the Adidas ABCD camp for high school stars. After 10 years, Bryant wanted a fresh start, so he began wearing No. 24, the number he'd worn as a freshman in high school.
Why is Jordan the number 23?
23 In The NBA: "My Brother Wore The 45, Which Was My Number. So I Chose Half Of What His Jersey Is, Which Is 22.5... I Would Rather Have 23."
What caused Kobe helicopter crash?
The helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight other people in Southern California last year was most likely caused by the pilot's decision to fly into clouds in violation of federal rules, blinding him to his surroundings and causing him to lose control of the helicopter as he became disoriented, investigators ...
How did Kobe come up with number 8?
Kobe debuted in the year 1996 when he decided to forgo college. Kobe selected the number based on his Adidas camp number, 143. It adds up to eight, and was the number he wore in Italy when he was younger. “When I first came in at 8, is really trying to 'plant your flag' sort of thing.
Who was 8 for the Lakers?
Kobe BryantPersonal informationPositionShooting guardNumber8, 24Career history1996–2016Los Angeles Lakers25 more rows
Who was number 23?
The No. 23 jersey might be the most popular jersey in NBA history. It was the number that was worn by some of the greatest players ever, most famously by Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
What number did Kobe Bryant wear?
Bryant is the only player in league history to have two jersey numbers retired with the same team. The star changing numbers, going from No. 8 to No. 24, midway through his career. The Laker began his career, after deciding to forgo college and take on the challenge of playing in the NBA, wearing the No. 8 jersey.
What is Kobe Bryant's jersey number?
According to ESPN, he chose the number based on his Adidas camp number, 143. It adds up to eight, and was the number he wore in Italy when he was younger. Ahead of the Lakers retiring both jersey numbers, Bryant broke down how his persona and attitude were different with the two.
What is Kobe Bryant's legacy?
Bryant's legacy started on the court and reached far beyond it both during his time in the league and during retirement, and the jerseys illuminated at "The House that Kobe Built" are a symbol of that. Bryant is the only player in league history to have two jersey numbers retired with the same team.
How many championships did Kobe Bryant win?
Bryant won three NBA championship titles as No. 8 and his final two wearing No. 24. He appeared in eight All-Star games with his first number and ten after the jersey swap. He won a scoring title in each number and scored 16,777 points repping No. 8 and 16,866 points wearing No. 24.
What number did Kobe Bryant wear?
No. 8 was not only a nod to the number he wore as a young boy while playing in Italy — where his family lived while his father, former NBA player Joe Bryant, continued his professional career — but also, he wore No. 8 at the youth training camp Adidas ABCD camp, where he wore no. 143, which adds up to eight.
How long did Kobe Bryant wear the Lakers?
Kobe Bryant wore both numbers throughout his legendary 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers
What did the Lakers wear in the crash?
In a particularly moving moment that had all the crowd on their feet, the Lakers starting lineup was introduced as “Kobe Bryant,” and each player wore a Bryant jersey, along with “KB” patches on one arm and a black band on the other to honor all nine victims of the crash. Kobe Bryant.
How old was Gianna Bryant when she died?
Before taking the court on Friday for the first time since the fatal crash, which also claimed the lives of the NBA star’s 13-year- old Gianna Bryant and seven others, the Los Angeles Lakers paid tribute to the late athlete.
Why is 24 a day?
“It’s a new book, 24 — 24 is every day. Because when you get older, your muscles start getting sore. Body starts aching. You show up to practice that day, you have to remind yourself, ‘OK, this day is the most important day.
Did the deadline pass for the 'No. 24'?
Although he initially hoped to change to No. 24 immediately, the deadline had passed so he had to wait, according to the outlet.
How old was Kobe Bryant when he won the Slam Dunk Contest?
Bryant's rookie season coincided with the league's 50th anniversary during which the NBA famously unveiled the 50 greatest players of all time. Just 18 years old at the time, Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star weekend in Cleveland and personally witnessed the single greatest collection of basketball talent in the history game unite to celebrate the sport's rich history.
What season was Kobe's finest hour?
While the entire purpose of this exercise is to shed light on the outrageous accomplishments amassed over merely one half of a sterling career, I can't help myself from briefly zeroing in on what I consider to be Kobe's finest hour: the 2005-06 season.
How many Kobe eras are there?
And while many have spilled enough ink debating his place among the legends to fill an entire library, have you ever really stopped to think about the sheer magnitude and prolific production of the two distinct Kobe eras?
When did Kobe Bryant change his number?
Kobe initially wanted to change his number from 8 to 24 during the 2005 season but missed the deadline. In the 2006-2007 season, Bryant officially changed his number to 24.
What number is Kobe Bryant's jersey?
Fans of Bryant are wearing his jersey in his honor, showing either the No. 24 or 8.
How did Kobe Bryant die?
Kobe Bryant died at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. There were eight other people were traveling with the retired NBA star, including Kobe’s daughter, Gianna, 13. There were no survivors.
What camp did Kobe wear?
It’s the number he wore at Adidas ABCD Camp 143, which was a nod to the camp’s numbers summed up. Kobe said an interview with ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, “When I first came in at 8, is really trying to ‘plant your flag’ sort of thing. I got to prove that I belong here in this league.
Where did Kobe Bryant go to high school?
Bryant wore No. 8 while growing up in Italy when his father Joe Bryant was playing in the European basketball leagues, but when he played at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania was No. 24. After graduating, he skipped college ball and entered the 1996 NBA Draft where he was selected as the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets. However, before the season started the Hornets traded him to the Lakers, where he historically remained for the entire 20 seasons of his NBA career.
When will the Lakers return to the staples center?
When the Lakers return to the Staples Center on January 31, to play their first games since the passing of Kobe, half the fans will receive commemorative jerseys with the No. 8, while the other will be gifted shirts with the No. 24. Fans will receive these shirts to honor Kobe Bryant at tonight’s game. ???
Who did Kobe thank for his speech?
During Kobe’s emotional speech, former NBA star thanked his wife, whom he called “an inspiration,” and the Hall of Famers who came before him.
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