Kobe Bryant Signed & Inscribed 1992 Middle School Yearbook with Amazingly Prophetic "How Bout Those Lakers" Inscription--Written 4 Years Before Becoming a Laker Himself!In the wake of his tragic passing last month, the legend and recognition of Kobe Bryant's greatness have grown exponentially. Video clips have shown a young Kobe as far back as high school professing his desire and drive to be the best basketball player ever. And now, this amazing discovery shows that Kobe had an essential lifelong love for the Lakers, which would eventually manifest in to him being--in the words of Magic Johnson--the greatest Laker of all-time.
Presented here for your bidding consideration is arguably the coolest piece of Kobe Bryant memorabilia that we've ever seen surface in the market. This yearbook from Bala Cywynd Middle School dates back to Kobe's 8th grade year. Having lived overseas for most of his childhood, this would mark the first time Bryant had been stateside for school. While Bryant apparently did not join the school early enough to take the standard school picture, Bryant is featured prominently with the boys' 8th grade basketball team. In the documentary "Muse", Bryant comments that leaving his life and friends in Italy and moving back to the States made him angry and resentful, and it was during this year in his basketball life that he learned to channel that negative emotion into positive energy on the court, thus essentially giving birth to his famed Mamba Mentality.
Showcasing a myriad of signatures from classmates, Bryant's inscription and signature are prominently featuring on the second-to-last left page. Bryant had mentioned in multiple interviews in his life that he had grown to love the Lakers as a fan since his childhood, and the inscription in this yearbook serves as the earliest known confirmation of that fact. Writing approximately 4 years before he would be traded to the Lakers on draft night and start his legendary career, Bryant inscribed in blue ballpoint pen, "In a few years you will probably be dunking on me. NOT!! - How bout those Lakers, Your friend, Kobe Bryant #24." In addition to being Bryant's earliest (and only) known handwritten reference to the Lakers, this yearbook by our research also serves as possibly the earliest known version of his signature and use of the number 24.
The yearbook itself is in overall very good condition with expected handling wear from being passed around and signed by dozens of other students (with some other students making naive and misguided comments in various areas of the yearbook).
From rarity of the incredibly early autograph to the prophetic magnitude of the amazing inscription, this piece stands at the top of the apex of any piece of Kobe Bryant memorabilia known to exist. Accompanied by a myriad of provenance, including a letter from the student who originally owned the yearbook and Letters of Authenticity from industry-leading authenticators Beckett Authentication Services (BAS) and PSA/DNA.