(Corrects to show Adidas is NBA's jersey supplier, in last paragraph.)

Jan. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Kobe Bryant's new number helped him regain the top jersey sales spot in the National Basketball Association from the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade.

Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers' guard who switched to No. 24 from No. 8 this season, leads sales figures at the NBA's New York and on-line stores from the start of this season through Dec. 31, the league said. It didn't release sales figures.

The eight-time All-Star pick last held the top sales spot during the 2002-03 season, a year after his last of three titles with the Lakers and before he was accused of sexual assault by a Colorado woman. The charges later were dropped.

Bryant has said he made the switch because he wanted a new number for the second half of his career, and he chose 24 because it was his first high school number. He's guaranteed never to autograph another No. 8 jersey, and even auctioned off the last two he signed for about $5,100.

Wade's jersey became the best-seller in May 2005 and remained there as he led the Heat to last season's NBA title, where he was chosen as the most valuable player in the Finals.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James ranks third in jersey sales, followed by new teammates Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets. Sales of Iverson's jersey have benefited from the Dec. 19 trade that sent him from Philadelphia to the Nuggets, helping him jump three spots on the list.

Reigning league Most Valuable Player Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns ranks sixth, followed by New Jersey's Vince Carter, Washington's Gilbert Arenas, Miami's Shaquille O'Neal and New York's Stephon Marbury.

The Lakers remained the top-selling team for the fifth straight year, while the Heat moved up one spot to No. 2. The Knicks, Bulls and Cavaliers round out the top five.

Adidas AG is the exclusive supplier of NBA jerseys.

To contact the reporter on this story: Larry DiTore in New York at lditore@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: January 10, 2007 14:42 EST