Nike Zoom Kobe II Lite Player Exclusive Sample | Size 14

Acquired through a private collector with ties to the Lakers organization.

Offered in this lot is a pair of Nike Zoom Kobe II Lite Player Exclusive sneakers made in Kobe Bryant's size 14 during the 2006-07 season. The Nike Kobe II Lite was produced as a slimmer alternative to the Nike Zoom Kobe II. The pair is dressed in a predominantly white leather upper with black and purple accents. The lateral side of each shoe features "KB24" lasered into the leather, while the medial side features Kobe's name and additional embroidered design.

The Zoom Kobe II Lite was released to the public in 2007; however, this sample features notable differences from the public release, including the "KB24" laser detailing exclusive to a limited number of sample pairs.

Notably, Bryant wore the Kobe II Lite in this colorway at Media Day on October 1, 2007.

Going Deeper | Kobe Bryant

Drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant spent all 20 seasons of his career in purple and gold. He won three consecutive championships alongside Shaquille O'Neal from 2000 to 2002 before establishing himself as the undisputed centerpiece of the Lakers offense.

The seasons that followed O'Neal's departure saw Bryant ascend to the peak of his individual powers. He won back-to-back scoring titles in 2005-06 and 2006-07 -- the very seasons in which this Player Exclusive was produced -- delivering performances that entered the record books: 62 points against the Dallas Mavericks, and 81 against the Toronto Raptors, the third-highest single-game total in NBA history, surpassed only by Wilt Chamberlain's 100. He claimed the league's regular season MVP award in 2007-08 and led Team USA to Olympic gold in Beijing that summer.

The 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons brought Bryant full circle. He led the Lakers to back-to-back championships, earning Finals MVP honors on both occasions. He closed his career in April 2016 with 60 points in his final game, willing the Lakers to a come-from-behind victory in a performance that served as a last, luminous demonstration of everything that had made him singular.

In 2021, Bryant was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. The Lakers retired both numbers he wore, 8 and 24.