Kobe Bryant has top selling jersey in China for third consecutive season
NEW YORK – Reigning NBA Champion Kobe Bryant, of the Los Angeles Lakers, had the top selling NBA jersey in China during the 2008-09 season, marking the third consecutive season he has topped the list. Bryant, who also had the top selling jersey in the United States and Europe this past season, was followed by LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers who moved up five spots after winning the 2008-09 NBA Most Valuable Player award presented by Kia Motors.
China’s Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets ranks No. 6 and Carmelo Anthony, who will play two preseason games in Greater China when the Denver Nuggets tip off against the Indiana Pacers in Taipei on Oct. 8 and Beijing on Oct. 11, ranks No. 10.
Several rising NBA stars are gaining recognition in China and made the top 15 including Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls – winner of the 2008-09 Rookie of Year award presented by Kia Motors, and two-time NBA All-Star Brandon Roy of the Portland Trailblazers. Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs is ranked No. 13 and is the first European player to make the list in China.
The 2008-09 rankings are based on sales from official NBA Stores in China this past season. adidas is the official on-court uniform and apparel provider of the NBA.
| 2008-09 Top Selling Jerseys in China | 2007-08 Top Selling Jerseys in China |
| 1) Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers | 1) Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2) LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers | 2) Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics |
| 3) Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics | 3) Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets |
| 4) Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets | 4) Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics |
| 5) Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat | 5) Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets |
| 6) Yao Ming, Houston Rockets | 6) Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards |
| 7) Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets | 7) LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 8) Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets/Detroit Pistons | 8) Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat |
| 9) Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic | 9) Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic |
| 10) Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets | 10) Yao Ming, Houston Rockets |
| 11) Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns | |
| 12) Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls | |
| 13) Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs | |
| 14) Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards | |
| 15) Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers |
The NBA will play its fourth set of preseason games in Greater China in October when the Denver Nuggets tip off against the Indiana Pacers. The NBA has 21 marketing and promotional partnerships in China including multi-national and Chinese companies. NBA games and programming can be seen via 51 television and digital media outlets, and fans can watch one live game per day on NBA.com/china.
# # #