1997 Metal Universe Kobe Bryant #81 PSA 9

The 1997 Metal Universe basketball card set remains one of the most visually distinct and celebrated releases of the late 1990s. This base card features the legendary Kobe Bryant during his formative years with the Los Angeles Lakers, captured in the iconic, etched-foil style that defines the Metal Universe brand.

Graded a PSA 9, this card represents a highly collectible early-career issue of the Hall of Fame guard, showcasing the futuristic design and intricate background patterns that made the 1997 set a favorite among collectors.

Card Details

• Year: 1997
• Set: Metal Universe
• Card Number: 81
• Parallel: Base
• Grading Company: PSA
• Grade: 9

Population Report

• Population at Grade: 1717
• Population in Higher Grades: 129
• Total Graded Population: 5626

Career Highlights

• Played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association from 1996 to 2016.
• Five-time NBA champion, winning titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010.
• Two-time NBA Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010.
• Named NBA MVP in 2008.
• Eighteen-time NBA All-Star and four-time NBA All-Star Game MVP.
• Named to the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1997 and won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest the same year.
• Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.
• Selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.