Kobe wanted to play for 76ers while in high school
Kobe Bryant's first game after announcing his plans to retire will be in his hometown, with the Los Angeles Lakers set to take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.
After spending his entire career in Los Angeles, Bryant reflected on facing the team he wanted to play for growing up.
"In high school, I always hoped to be a Sixer," Bryant said, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Bryant decided to jump straight from high school to the NBA in 1996, and was drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets then traded Bryant's rights to the Lakers for Vlade Divac.
Kobe says tonight's Philly game was the "cherry on top" for him to announce his retirement, effective at the end of the season.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) December 1, 2015
The Sixers had the first overall pick that year, and opted to select Allen Iverson.
Bryant attended Philadelphia's Lower Merion High School, and led the team to their first state championship in 53 years during his senior season.
The Sixers will try to win their first game of the season on Tuesday, while also trying to avoid breaking the record for the worst start to a season in NBA history.