Bryant’s jersey again the top seller in Europe

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is again the most popular player in Europe, based on  sales of his blue and gold jersey.

For the second year in a row his jersey is the top seller in  Europe, the NBA said in a statement yesterday.

The 11-times All-Star and 2008 Most Valuable Player topped  the list ahead of Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics. Spain’s  Pau Gasol, also of the Lakers, was third.

Other leading Europeans included Frenchman Tony Parker of  the San Antonio Spurs (sixth), Italy’s Andrea Bargnani of the  Toronto Raptors (eighth) and Spaniard Jose Calderon of the  Raptors (ninth).

The list is based on sales from retail locations across  Europe during the 2008-09 NBA season.

Bryant, whose Lakers team clinched their 15th NBA Championship in July, also has the top-selling jersey in the United States.