Kobe tops

NEW YORK (AFP) – Kobe Bryant is the NBA’s top international star according to global jersey sales figures released on Thursday by the league and internet interest as seen in the NBA’s first social media awards.

The Los Angeles Lakers guard, a five-time NBA champion, had the most jersey sales beyond US borders during the 2011-2012 season in the first release of international jersey sales figures.

Bryant, Chicago’s Derrick Rose and Miami’s LeBron James topped the global sales list and those of China and Europe with James surpassing Rose for the second-best jersey sales figures in Latin America.