Kobe reportedly to change jersey to No. 24
It's same number Lakers superstar wore at beginning of high school career
 Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images file Kobe Bryant has worn jersey No. 8 his entire tenure with the Lakers. |
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Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant will switch his jersey number from 8 to 24 for next season, ESPN reported Wednesday.
Bryant wore No. 24 when he began his career at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pa. He switched to No. 33, worn by his father Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant in high school, by the time he was a senior and leading the school to the state championship, ESPN said.
The last famous jersey change occurred in the 1994-95 season, when Michael Jordan wore No. 45 when he came out of retirement for the final 22 games of the regular season. His No. 23 had been retired by the Chicago Bulls.
Bryant will take the No. 24 from Jim Jackson, who signed with the Lakers in March.
To change jersey numbers, a player must either change teams or the team must inform the league of the switch more than six months in advance. Sources told ESPN that the Lakers informed the league of Bryant's decision by the March 3 deadline.
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