Kobe Bryant did it all in his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, from winning five NBA championships to taking home MVP honors to being a regular on the All-NBA first team. He accomplished all of those feats with one team, but did them in two different jersey numbers — No. 8 (which he wore from 1997-2006) and No. 24 (which he wore from 2007-16).
NBA fans often debated in which jersey did Bryant accomplish his greatest feats. While that discussion will likely rage on for years, both numbers are headed for immortality in Lakers lore.
ESPN.com’s Ramona Shelburne reports that the Lakers are planning to retire both of Bryant’s uniform numbers in a ceremony on Dec. 18 against the Golden State Warriors (a game that will air on NBA TV at 10:30 p.m. ET).
Here’s more from ESPN.com:
The Los Angeles Lakers will retire both of Kobe Bryant’s jerseys — Nos. 8 and 24 — before their game against the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 18, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
TMZ Sports first reported that Bryant’s jersey will be retired in December.
Bryant, who retired after the 2015-16 season, played 20 seasons with the Lakers, winning five championships. The 18-time All-Star scored 33,643 career points, currently third on the all-time list behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone.
The Lakers usually only retire the jerseys of players in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Bryant isn’t yet eligible for enshrinement, but the team is confident he will be inducted.
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Bryant will be the 10th player to have his jersey retired by the Lakers, joining Wilt Chamberlain (13), Elgin Baylor (22), Gail Goodrich (25), Magic Johnson (32), Abdul-Jabbar (33), O’Neal (34), James Worthy (42), Jerry West (44) and Jamaal Wilkes (52).
The name of longtime team broadcaster Chick Hearn also is hanging in the rafters of Staples Center.
