Kobe Bryant's homecoming on Thursday is cause for a celebration.
The Kobe Bryant Gymnasium Dedication is a sold-out event Thursday night at Lower Merion High School. The Lower Merion grad donated $411,000 to the school district. The largest donation in the district's history, will fund "a series of inspirational, interactive, and educational displays."
"It's cool for me," Bryant said on ESPN.
"That's obviously where playing in the NBA kind of became a realistic goal. I put a lot of work in, a lot of hours in that gym, with a lot of people that support me and still support me to this day. It will be cool to go back there."
A source tells us Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, the entire Lakers team and Philly hip hop band Chiddy Bang are all expected to show up.
Bryant's appearance, along with his celebrity guests, will raise money for the school. Tickets to the dedication ceremony sold for $10 and $25. Tickets to a VIP reception at a cost of $250 also sold out.
Lower Merion opened a new $100 million dollar building earlier this year after six years of planning and construction.
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The NBA superstar graduated from Lower Merion in 1996 after leading the basketball team to a state championship. Bryant has stayed connected to the school, sometimes making surprise visits.
Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers will face the Phiadelphia 76ers Friday night.
