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1996 Bowman's Best Rookie Refractor Kobe Bryant #R23
Basketball Cards
PSA8
Pop198
This 1996 Bowman's Best Kobe Bryant Rookie Refractor (#R23) is graded NM-MT 8 by PSA. As one of the premier rookie parallels of the decade, the Refractor edition features Topps' signature chromium technology with a distinctive reflective rainbow shine. The 1996 Bowman's Best set represents the debut of the brand in basketball, making this a foundational rookie release for the Hall of Fame guard. PSA has graded 197 examples at this NM-MT 8 tier. The chromium surfaces of this era are notoriously condition-sensitive, prone to surface scratching and edge wear, which makes finding well-preserved copies challenging.
Kobe Bryant's legacy as a five-time NBA Champion, 18-time All-Star, and Class of 2020 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee cements his 1996-97 rookie cards among the most historic modern basketball issues. The Bowman's Best Rookie series showcased the legendary 1996 draft class, and this unnumbered Refractor parallel remains a benchmark of early premium basketball card design, presenting with vibrant colors, strong print registration, and a clean metallic back.Show more
$2,940
Sold on AuctionsAug 20, 2026
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