Before switching to number 24, Kobe Bryant wore number 8 for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant wore No. 8 during his first ten NBA seasons, from his rookie campaign in 1996–97 through the 2005–06 season. He entered the NBA directly from Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania and became one of the league's most prominent young stars while wearing the number.
Bryant changed to No. 24 at the start of the 2006–07 season. He had worn 24 earlier in high school before switching to 33, and he reportedly wanted 24 when he entered the NBA, but that number was unavailable. Number 8 was connected to his Adidas ABCD camp jersey, 143, whose digits add up to 8. Bryant ultimately became the first NBA player to have two numbers retired by the same team: the Lakers retired both 8 and 24 in 2017.