The jerseys — which Kobe co-designed with Nike in 2018 — feature a subtle snakeskin pattern and 16 stars on the side, representative of the Lakers’ 16 NBA titles. They also come in both of the numbers Kobe wore in Los Angeles: 8 and 24, the latter of which also includes the No. 2 inside a heart, in honor of Gianna.
MORE: Why Michael Jordan thought Kobe was the only player who could beat him 1-on-1
The Lakers reportedly will wear the jerseys during Game 4 of their first-round series against the Trail Blazers. That game will come on Aug. 24, or 8/24. Sunday, Aug. 23 — which would have been Bryant’s 42nd birthday — also marks the start of “Mamba Week.” Nike announced it will donate $1 million to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation in honor of Kobe and Gianna as part of the week-long celebration.
Here’s a closer look at the jerseys:
Bryant and his daughter have received several tributes since their January deaths in a helicopter crash, including from NBA legend Michael Jordan and New York Liberty rookie Sabrina Ionescu, among others. Several NBA teams also committed 24-second shot clock violations — in honor of No. 24 — immediately following Kobe’s death.
The Lakers begin their first-round series against Portland on Tuesday.
