The Los Angeles Lakers will display both uniform numbers that Kobe Bryant wore during his career during his final game Wednesday night.
For the last 10 seasons, the man wearing the number 24 for the Los Angeles Lakers has continued to pad his resume as one of the best players to ever step on a basketball court. Kobe Bryant wore 24 on his way to winning two NBA titles in the last decade, but it wasn’t he wasn’t given that number when he first came into the league.
Ahead of Wednesday’s season finale when the Lakers host the Utah Jazz, the team will be placing both numbers that Bryant wore during his 20 year career with the team on the court of the Staples Center:
During his time at Lower Marion High School in Philadelphia, Bryant wore both number 24 and 33. After being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and traded to the Lakers in the 1996 NBA Draft, Bryant chose the uniform number of eight as the other two numbers weren’t available.
Kobe Bryant’s numbers and accomplishments during his time with the Lakers will be celebrated all throughout Wednesday’s finale. During his time in the league, Bryant won five NBA titles (twice being named Finals MVP) to go along with 18 All-Star Game selections and 15 times being named to the All-NBA team (11 times being named to the first team).
Kobe Bryant’s retirement tour has been one of the few highlights this season for a Lakers team that is in the middle of the worst season in franchise history. With just 16 wins this season, the Lakers will finish with the second worst record in all of the NBA this season, just slightly ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers.
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