Kobe Bryant Memorabilia Stolen From Lower Merion High School

Numerous items were stolen from Lower Merion High School Sunday night.  The items came from the display case known to students as “Kobe’s Shrine,” outside the Bryant Gymnasium.

Lower Merion High School principal Sean Hughes made the announcement:

I regret to inform you that last night thieves broke into our school and stole a number of items from the Kobe Bryant display case outside the Bryant Gymnasium. The items included Kobe’s framed high school replica jersey, the 1996 PIAA Boys Basketball State Championship trophy and net, programs from the state and district title games, a proclamation from the Pennsylvania State House honoring the 1996 team as well as several pairs of signed Nike sneakers.

Bryant grew up in Italy where his father played basketball towards the end of his career.  Kobe, however, was born in Philadelphia and when the family returned, he became a standout player during his high school career at Lower Merion.  Not only was he the first freshman to start for the school’s varsity team in decades, he also ended his high school career with 2,883 points, more than both Wilt Chamberlain (Overbrook) and Lionel Simmons (South Philadelphia).

Lower Merion police are currently investigating the incident and reviewing surveillance video from inside and outside the school. No one was harmed during the burglary.