As a rookie in 1996–97, KOBE BRYANT mostly came off the bench behind guards Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. At the time, he was the second-youngest player ever to play in an NBA game (18 years, 72 days) and also became the youngest NBA starter (18 years, 158 days). His most prolific season came in 2005-2006, when he scored an average of 35.4 regular season points per game across 80 games for the LA Lakers. 1996 Topps Rookie Year KOBE BRYANT