Bryant: It will be pretty hard for future Lakers to wear No. 8 or 24

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Kobe Bryant is a surefire first ballot NBA Hall of Famer once he becomes eligible in five years.

However, it remains in question which of his previous jersey numbers, 8 or 24, will be retired and hoisted above the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where he spent 20 magnificent playing seasons.

Asked about it on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), which was proclaimed as “Kobe Bryant Day” in Los Angeles, the “Black Mamba” was his usual honest self.

READ: Los Angeles City Council declares 8/24 as Kobe Bryant Day

“(Whichever number it is) it’ll be pretty hard for someone else to wear the other,” the Laker legend told ESPN, just a day after he celebrated his 38th birthday.

Bryant wore No. 8 during his first 10 years in the league, which he then changed to 24 prior to the 2006-2007 season.

At the time, Bryant cited the change as a signal that the first part of his playing career had come to a close.

His gesture proved to be poetic, as he played another 10 seasons with the new digit by the time he hung up his sneakers for good in April.

Earlier in 2013 the five-time NBA champion expressed  his preference to retire No. 24 , which he used as a freshman in Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia. Khristian Ibarrola