Kobe Bryant memorabilia has been all the rage throughout the course of the calendar year following the late Los Angeles Lakers legend's tragic death in January.
Many items are being collected for display. Others are being enshrined in Washington, D.C.
Bryant's 2008 NBA Finals jersey is now on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Per TMZ:
The text next to the jersey reads, “In 1996, Kobe Bryant became the first guard to successfully make the leap from high school to the National Basketball Association. At the time, experts were skeptical that high school wing players could compete in the NBA. His success ushered in the modern era of younger players in the league.”
Kobe Bryant was a founding donor of the NMAAHC, contributing over $1 million to the museum and donating this jersey in 2017.
Interim director Spencer Crew said he felt now was the perfect time to put the jersey on display and honor Bryant's legacy:
“Kobe’s contributions on and off the court are remarkable,” Crew said, via the NMAAHC website. “As a founding donor, he understood the significance of this museum to the nation and the world. After postponing the March installation due to COVID-19, we believe now is the perfect moment in history to honor his memory by placing his jersey on view.”
The NMAAHC traces the progress and plight of African Americans through the course of U.S. history, including spotlights on individuals who left behind tremendous social and cultural imprints.
Kobe Bryant was indeed more than just a basketball player. He was a global icon who became known as much for empowering young athletes and being a “Girl Dad,” among a host of other notable qualities.
Now, the NMAAHC honors his legacy by putting his jersey on display.
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