Kobe Bryant’s stolen high school jersey was returned and unveiled during a Lower Merion High School ceremony honoring the late NBA legend, according to The New York Times.

The retired No. 33 jersey worn by the school’s career leading scorer was stolen three years ago from the school’s campus and was later bought by a collector in China. However, suspecting that the jersey was stolen, the buyer contacted the school and helped return it to its rightful owners. The process was already underway before Bryant died in a helicopter crash.

During Saturday’s ceremony, the Bryant Gymnasium was packed to at least 1,600 capacity. The students wore black T-shirts with number 33 inside an ace and text “The Heartbeat of Aces Nation”. The uniform was unveiled by Bryant’s cousin, his old high school coach, and a former teammate.

“Good timing,” said Lower Merion coach Gregg Downer. “That was kind of an iconic moment when the spotlight went on that jersey. It was just tremendous.”

He added that after such a long wait to get the jersey back, the unveiling presented a fitting end to a long week.

Read more about Kobe Bryant at The New York Times by clicking here.

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