Bryant had a particular shock for the fan.
Again in February 2017, A Kobe Bryant jersey from his enjoying days at Decrease Merion Excessive College was stolen from a show case on the faculty after which put up on the market on-line. In October 2018, the jersey was bought by Liu Zhe, a Kobe Bryant superfan who resides in China. After receiving the jersey and inspecting it, the fan realized that it matched the outline the jersey that was stolen. Zhe ended up stepping into contact with the Excessive College and despatched it again to them, in keeping with ESPN.
Bryant was so grateful for the gesture, that he made certain to go to Zhe whereas on a current journey to China to advertise the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The Los Angeles Lakers legend took an image with Zhe and gave him a signed poster with an image the 2 when Zhe attended Kobe’s basketball camp.
“I requested Kobe, ‘Do you keep in mind me?'” Liu advised ESPN. “He advised me, ‘Sure, thanks for returning the jersey. You probably did an awesome factor.'”
Decrease Merion Excessive College additionally confirmed gratitude to Zhe by releasing an announcement thanking him for the great deed. They’re additionally nonetheless searching for info on the one that initially stole the jersey.
“The Decrease Merion College District is appreciative that the fan in China did the precise factor and returned the Kobe Bryant jersey to Decrease Merion Excessive College,” the varsity district stated in an announcement. “We stay hopeful that the opposite stolen objects will likely be returned as nicely and recognize the continued work the Decrease Merion Township police to get better the objects.”