Some of Kobe’s Best with the Brand
When it comes to basketball and The Hobby, Kobe Bryant has long retained iconic status. One of the most sought-after athletes for collectors, the five-time champion’s remarkable career was critical in carrying the league beyond the Michael Jordan Era, and his talent and star power made him nothing short of a global phenomenon.
Beginning in his rookie season, when he won the Slam Dunk Contest at only 18 years of age, Kobe electrified fans and collectors and inspired an entire generation of players. Starting with his Topps rookie cards, the Los Angeles legend’s legacy spans years of the Topps basketball landscape. Let’s look at some of the best Topps Kobe Bryant cards.
Kobe Bryant Cards to Collect
1996/97 Topps Chrome Basketball Refractor #138R Kobe Bryant RC
Player info
• drafted 13th overall out of lower Merion high school
• won 1997 slam dunk contest at 18 (youngest Champion ever)
Set info
• 220 card base set
card info
• perhaps most covetable kobe bryant rc
• kobe’s chrome debut
• card back lists vitals, scouting report featuring kobe’s father, “jellybean” bryant, and quote from tim legler
2008/09 Topps Chrome Basketball Gold Refractor #24 Kobe Bryant /50
Player info
• 2008 mvp
• first-team all defense
• 28.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.4 apg in 2007/08 season
Set info
• 220 card base set
card info
• classic kobe chrome refractor with bryant facing off against lebron james
• card back lists vitals, career stats
1996-97 Topps Finest Basketball Gold Refractor #269 Kobe Bryant RC
Player info
• two scoring titles (’05/06, ’06/07)
• 11-time all-nba first team
set info
• part of heirs subset featuring bryant along with ray allen and steve nash
card info
• highly coveted, spectacularly designed rc
• card back lists vitals, high school stats, and describes kobe as “perhaps the best high School player in Pennsylvania history”
2006-07 Topps Chrome Basketball Gold Refractor #129 Kobe Bryant /25
Player info
• 23-14 career record in finals games
• 5-2 career record in finals series
• two-time finals mvp (2009, 2010)
set info
• 210 card base set
card info
• Card back lists vitals, career stats, and features a quote from lebron james describing kobe as the best player in the league
1997-98 Topps Finest Basketball Embossed Refractors #323 Kobe Bryant /74
Player info
• both numbers 8 and 24 retired in bryant’s honor by los angeles
• fourth in all-time points scored
set info
• partial parallel
card info
• rare die-cut embossed refractor
• michael jordan and tim duncan are other standouts from this insert
