The childhood home of the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant has been sold for $810,000, according to TMZ Sports.
The young Mamba lived in the 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath property in the Wynnewood suburb of Philadelphia, when he led Lower Merion High School to the state championship in 1996 and garnered national attention as a star basketball prospect.
The suburban home initially hit the market in September with a price tag of $899,000. The latest sale closed on Nov. 6.
“Dreams really do come true,” the property's realtor, TJ Sokso of Compass, told TODAY Home. “Kobe moved back stateside, he had gotten to see professional athletes up close and personal, he was inspired by that,” Sosko said of the period when Bryant moved to Wynnewood, Pennsylvania after living in Italy. “He had this dream of becoming an NBA player.”
The property includes a wonderful house, but the most appealing aspect is the sizable backyard and driveway, which still features the original hoop that the adolescent future Lakers superstar undoubtedly utilized for many hours every day.
“This beautiful Colonial has been meticulously maintained and is located in the heart of Wynnewood — close to shopping, dining, and you'll love the easy commute into Philadelphia,” reads the listing. “It happens to be the former home of beloved NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. He spent his teenage years living at 1224 Remington and attended Lower Merion High School from 1992-1996 … The home's most significant feature is Kobe's basketball hoop in the driveway where he spent countless hours perfecting his craft.”
In 2015, Kobe Bryant talked to The Players Tribune about his teenage years in Philly after spending part of his childhood in Italy.
“I was a tall, skinny 13-year-old kid who spoke Italian better than English. I knew very little of American culture and people knew me only as ‘the son of a former NBA player,'” said Bryant.
Bryant's father, Joe, also attended high school in the Philadelphia area and played for the 76ers from 1975-79. The Bryants owned the property until 2008.
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