Kobe Bryant’s NBA Finals Jersey Is Now On Display At Smithsonian

The Mamba will never be forgotten. Kobe Bryant’s game-worn 2008 National Basketball Association Finals jersey is now on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Kobe was a big fan of the museum, donating at least a million dollars, and urging people to go when the museum first opened in 2016.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is displaying basketball icon Kobe Bryant’s basketball jersey in the “Sports: Leveling the Playing Field” gallery, beginning Oct. 15. Bryant wore this important piece of basketball history during Game Five of the 2008 NBA Finals, the year he won the league’s MVP award. Bryant’s jersey will be on view next to a pair of LeBron James 15 “Equality” sneakers by Nike.

The original plan was for the jersey to go on display shortly following his passing, but the tribute was delayed when the museum closed due to Covid.

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Last month, NMAAHC reopened with new safety measures and reduced hours.

“Kobe’s contributions on and off the court are remarkable,” wrote NMAAHC’s interim director Spencer Crew in a press release, “As a founding donor, he understood the significance of this museum to the nation and the world. After postponing the March installation due to COVID-19, we believe now is the perfect moment in history to honor his memory by placing his jersey on view.”

The jersey first went on display this week and is expected to remain so for at least a year. Pretty good reason to visit.

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