The farewell season for Kobe Bryant was a physical and mental strugglefor the most part but it had a fairytale ending. The 17-65 Los AngelesLakers were cellar dwellers pretty much from the beginning of 2015-16with many of Bryant's teammates young enough that they were still indiapers when he entered the league in 1996. Kobe averaged 17.6 points in28.2 minutes per game numbers more reminiscent of his first twoseasons as a gifted teenager coming off the bench. His 35.8% field goalpercentage was the lowest of his career and the recovery time neededbetween each game was certainly the longest. Yet nothing could stopKobe from giving basketball fans worldwide the ultimate going-awaypresent. In his last NBA game in front of his adoring fans at StaplesCenter Kobe turned back the clock to his "Black Mamba" days eruptingfor an unbelievable 60 points in a Lakers victory. It was the fifthhighest point total of his legendary career and he became the oldest (atage 37) in NBA history to score 60.

Presented here is a sensational final season pair of Kobe Bryant game-worn Nike sneakers from the Lakers' February 8 2016 road game at Indiana. Kobe had 19 points and 5 rebounds as the Lakers lost 87-85 to the Pacers at Banker's Life Fieldhouse. The unique Black History Month designed pair is signed and inscribed by Bryant and comes courtesy of his exclusive memorabilia partner Panini Authentic.

Kobe Bryant's 11th signature model sneaker from Nike the Kobe 11 was part of the brand's 2016 "Black History Month" Collection. Kobe wore these special Kobe XI "BHM" versions in various colorways throughout February 2016 regular season games. The snazzy low-tops feature a multicolored Nike Flyknit upper with "The Power of One" stamped on the insole finished with a white rubber outsole. This blue and black colorway comes in his size 14 with the interior tagging also indicating a "10/17/15 manufacturing date. The insoles are custom-fitted to provide additional support for Kobe's feet. (He tore his Achilles tendon at the end of the 2012-2013 season which wiped out most of 2013-14 as well.) The tongues have Kobe's unique Nike gear logo with a BHM-inspired blue yellow and red color design. Four red stripes appear horizontally on the left heel only. The shoes come with their original black laces and show appropriate game use with visible heel drag. Kobe has autographed the right shoe across the white Swoosh with "vs Indy" inscribed and he has added the "2-8-16" game date in the same place on the left shoe--all done in perfect 10/10 black Sharpie. 2/8/16 game images clearly show him wearing these shoes; the left heel is certain photo-match. As if a Kobe Bryant final season game-worn piece was not coveted enough already the eye-catching aesthetics and cultural symbolism of these sneakers make them one of the finest Kobe pairs to ever hit the market. Original Panini Authentic black box is included.

Includes hologram COA (PA36964) from Panini Authentic Kobe's exclusive memorabilia provider. Pre-certified by PSA/DNA (auto).