The 1996 NBA Draft featured an impressive collection of talent and one of the most notable group of star players to enter the league at the same time, including future Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, and Steve Nash. Kobe commanded quite a bit of buzz after being drafted 13th by the Charlotte Hornets and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Joining the NBA directly out of high school opened the door for criticism, but also created an aura around his name and NBA potential.

The start of his legendary career began at The Pyramid, home of the Long Beach State University 49ers, where new members of the Lakers played their first Summer League game against the Pistons on July 13, 1996. Less than 5,000 were in attendance for Saturday's matinee game to witness the pro debut of the player who would shape the NBA's next two decades. Wearing number 32, a baby-faced Kobe sporting a shaved head started slowly before finishing with 27 points, going a near-perfect 18-20 from the free throw line.

Offered here is a PSA VG-EX 4 graded ticket stub to Kobe Bryant's official professional basketball debut at the 1996 Fila Summer Pro League. Of the nine others graded in the PSA pop report, only three are rated higher (two EX 5 and one NM 7). Just two months ago, one of the three other PSA VG-EX 4 examples sold for $5,612.