Famed auction house Sotheby's is putting Kobe Bryant's signed Los Angeles Lakers jersey up for sale, where it's expected to fetch up to $7 million.
The jersey was worn by Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, over 25 games, Sotheby's said in a statement regarding the auction.
This particular jersey is the same one he wore in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round in 2008, when he made a 3-point shot, screamed in excitement and grabbed the jersey after giving the Lakers a 14-point lead against the Denver Nuggets.
Kobe Bryant was a professional basketball player who spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Throughout his career, Bryant won numerous accolades and accomplishments including: 5 NBA championships, 18 All-Star selections, 15 All-NBA Team selections, 12 All-Defensive Team selections, 2 NBA Finals MVP awards, 1 NBA MVP award, and 2 Olympic gold medals. He also holds numerous scoring records, including being the fourth highest point scorer in NBA history, and the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history. He was also known for his intense work ethic and competitive nature, earning him the nickname "Black Mamba." In 2020, he was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
This is not the first time that Sotheby's has sold a Kobe Bryant jersey, with previous signed jerseys selling for high prices at their auctions. This is a testament to the enduring legacy of the late basketball star, who tragically passed away in a helicopter accident in January 2020.
According to Sotheby's, if the autographed jersey sells for between $5 million to $7 million, it will set the record for the highest price for Bryant's sports memorabilia. In 2021, a signed jersey that Bryant wore from 1996 to 1997 sold for $3.7 million. Online bidding for Bryant's jersey will be held from Feb. 2 to Feb. 9.