Honoring Kobe Bryant
Bryant’s Lakers Jersey Is Now on Display
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is displaying basketball icon Kobe Bryant’s basketball jersey in the “Sports: Leveling the Playing Field” gallery, beginning Oct. 15. Bryant’s jersey will be on view next to a pair of LeBron James 15 “Equality” sneakers by Nike. (Photo Credit: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Thank You,
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant celebrates after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at the Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.
As a five-time NBA champion, Bryant earned the NBA MVP in 2008 and NBA Finals MVP awards in 2009 and 2010 with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent his entire NBA career.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is proud to recognize the generosity of the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation as a Founding Donor, a distinction indicating a commitment of $1 million or more to the Museum prior to its opening in 2016.
We are also proud to house Bryant’s uniform from the 2008 NBA Finals, the year he was named the league MVP, which he donated to the Museum after visiting in 2016. This jersey is now on display in the basketball room of the "Sports: Leveling the Playing Field” gallery.
For a generation of people, Kobe Bryant was a symbol of excellence. His 'Mamba Mentality' inspired fans and competitors to reach their potential. Damion Thomas Sports Curator
A Closer Look
Watch the installation of basketball icon Kobe Bryant’s basketball jersey in the “Sports: Leveling the Playing Field" gallery.
The African American experience is the lens through which we understand what it is to be an American. LONNIE G. BUNCH III Founding Director, NMAAHC