Before the 1996 NBA draft, HOFer and true Legend Kobe Bryant had worked out in Los Angeles, where he scrimmaged against former Lakers players Larry Drew and Michael Cooper and, according to then-Laker general manager Jerry West, "marched over these people." During his rookie campaign, at the time, he was the second-youngest player ever to play in an NBA game (18 years, 72 days) and also became the youngest NBA starter (18 years, 158 days). Kobe famously won the Dunk Contest that year and his star was on a meteoric rise. In his second year, the year these shoes were worn, he broke out and made his first of 18 career All-Star games. He recorded 18 points in 22 minutes at The Mecca. The ASG MVP award is now called the Kobe Bryant award. Anyways, you know the rest. As far as shoes go, these are important for two big reasons - 1. This was his breakout season - he and Shaq brought them to the WCF and formed one of basketball's most formidable 1-2 punches in history. 2. These were Kobe’s first signature shoes - The KB8 aka the Crazy 8’s. It is said that #8 was chosen because when he attended an Adidas BBall camp, his number was 143. He added the three numbers and that equaled to 8. These are white and purple Adidas Kobe Bryant 8’s. Purple and gold embroidered Adidas logos on the outside of the ankles, and Kobe’s number (8), also in purple and gold embroidery on the bottom of the tongues. KB 8 logos on the inside of the ankles. The tongue tags are: SAMPLE MADE IN CHINA US 14. Kobe has signed the outside of the ankles below Adidas logos, in purple marker. The right shoe is signed “8 Kobe” and the left shoe is signed “Kobe 8”, both in purple marker. These shoes were gifted by Kobe directly to our consignor, in the locker room of then Boston Garden, sometime during the 1997-98 season. These iconic shoes are properly marked, presented to us as game-used and in our opinion show appropriate wear. Accompanied by a full JSA LOA. Accompanied by an LOP from our consignor. Wow.