NEW JERSEY - JUNE 1996: Kobe Bryant poses for a portrait during the Rookie Shoot circa June 1996 in New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant has always had a large supply of athleticism, confidence and healthy arrogance. At age 17 he didn't quite have the seasoning that will make him a Hall of Famer, but the show was already on display when he and the Lakers took on the Suns in their final summer league game in 1996.
The footage above comes from a Southern California Summer Pro League contest in Long Beach, California. Bryant had already made an impression with earlier performances that summer, too. After his 27-point debut, then-Lakers head coach Del Harris said:
"He can really get his shot, can't he? I mean, everyone in the building knew he was going to go to the hoop, and he either got his shot or got fouled. You can say it's only the summer league, but some of the moves Kobe made today would have been terrific in summer, winter, spring or fall.''
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.