So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 8

The story goes that Bryant took No. 8 upon joining the Lakers because he wore it as a kid playing in Italy, as a tribute to Mike D'Antoni, the current Phoenix Suns coach who was one of his early favorite players in the Italian League. Bryant said that during his rookie season, he wanted No. 24 but it was taken (by Trevor Wilson). The next year, someone named Shea Seals had it. It was free for the '98-'99 season, but who knows, maybe Del Harris wouldn't allow the change at that point.
Those were the days when Bryant came off the bench to spell Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel? Then he won the '97 Slam Dunk Contest at the All-Star game.
Suddenly, No. Eight was Great.
For the '98-'99 season, Bryant emerged, as Shaquille O'Neal thought it would be best if the team traded off Jones and Van Exel. The Lakers were swept by San Antonio in the Western Conference semifinals. But at least Kobe was getting exposure for No. 8.
Eventually, Phil Jackson came in as the coach, and Bryant blossomed in the triangle offense -- three consecutive NBA titles, from 2000 to 2002. Bryant averaged 30 points a game in '02-'03. But the Lakers lost to San Antonio in the conference semifinals. Then they lost in the NBA finals the next year, eliminated by Detroit, even though Bryant averaged 22.6 poitns a game that series.
Then came that nasty rape allegation.
Fast forward. Shaq's traded, Phil leaves, Rudy T. comes in, then leaves. And Kobe, on Jan. 22, 2006, scores 81 points against Toronto, the second highest total in NBA single-game history. He set the Lakers single-season franchise record for most 40-point games (27) and most points scored (2,832), winning the league scoring title for the first time with a 35.4 average. He was only fourth in the 2006 NBA MVP voting, though.
Then he decided he didn't want to be No. 8 anymore.
We lost track of him after that.

Runner-up:
==Steve Young, USFL L.A. Express ('84-'85)
==Troy Aikman, UCLA football ('88-'89)

Other No. 8s:
==Tommy Maddox, UCLA football ('90-'91), Rams ('94), XFL Xtreme ('01)
==Marques Johnson, Clippers ('84-'88)
==Bob Boone, Angels ('82-'88)
==John Roseboro, Dodgers (’57-’67)
==Reggie Smith, Dodgers (’77-’81) (also wore No. 9 in ’76, ’94-’98)
==Ray Guy, Raiders ('82-'86, started wearing it in Oakland in '73)
==Teemu Selanne, Ducks ('05--07, also wore No. 13 from '95-'01)
==Dwayne Jarrett, USC football ('04-'06)
==Vince Evans, USC football ('74-'76)
==Cleveland Colter, USC football ('86-'89)
==Fred Lynn, USC baseball ('71-'73)
==Dan Guerrero, UCLA baseball ('70-'74)
==Karl Dorrell, UCLA football ('83-'86)
==Joe-Max Moore, UCLA soccer ('90-'92)
==Ralphie Valladares, Thunderbirds roller derby (1959-'97)

Sports Illustrated's choice for the all-time No. 8: Cal Ripken Jr., over Yogi Berra

Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours: