Kobe BRYANT (1978-2020)
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Sport Basketball Sport cards Modern sport cards Sport equipment Michael Jordan
Chronology : 2008
See also : Sport Basketball Sport cards Modern sport cards Sport equipment Michael Jordan
Chronology : 2008
1996 Rookie Home Jersey
2025 SOLD for $ 7M by Sotheby's
After a great high school season where his achievements had been compared with those of Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant was picked in the first round of the 1996 NBA drafts in June 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets acting on behalf of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant will never leave the Lakers, changing his jersey number from 8 to 24 in 2006.A size 44 Champion home jersey of the Lakers with the number 8 has been photo-matched with seven events including the NBA Media day on October 1, 1996, the NBA pre-seacon debut on October 16, the first NBA game played by Bryant on November 3 and three other NBA games in that month.
This garment is thus the very first home jersey worn by Kobe Bryant in his NBA rookie season. It was sold for $ 7M by Sotheby's on April 24, 2025, lot 1.
The photo-matchings were made by MeiGray, SIA and PSA.
Bryant will never leave the Lakers, changing his jersey number from 8 to 24 in 2006.A size 44 Champion home jersey of the Lakers with the number 8 has been photo-matched with seven events including the NBA Media day on October 1, 1996, the NBA pre-seacon debut on October 16, the first NBA game played by Bryant on November 3 and three other NBA games in that month.
This garment is thus the very first home jersey worn by Kobe Bryant in his NBA rookie season. It was sold for $ 7M by Sotheby's on April 24, 2025, lot 1.
The photo-matchings were made by MeiGray, SIA and PSA.
1996-1997 Topps Chrome Refractor Rookie Card
2021 SOLD for $ 1.8M by Goldin
Trading cards were pieces of thin cardboard printed in color. To satisfy elite collectors, publishers have created parallel cards by adding goodies to their base series. The response was favorable and most of current parallel cards are serialized, up to the highly tempting One Of One.
The big step forward was technological. In 1993 Topps incorporates metal into the cardboard. The Topps Finest Baseball series is thus accompanied by a parallel with a chrome plating of the circular frame around the photo. The publisher registers the protected name Refractor to describe this novelty.
Basketball competes with baseball. The first Topps Chrome Refractors series is released in 1996, without serialization. Luckily, it includes Kobe Bryant's rookie card. The metallic frame of the image has become rectangular. It is thus better visible and perhaps also less fragile. Later Topps will introduce color Refractors.
BGS and PSA grade these items in a base scale which is similar. However, BGS goes further by recording on the carrier labels their rating on four criteria : Centering, Corners, Edges and Surface. This allows them to award a higher top end than the mere Gem Mint, the Black Label, for cards rated 10 for all four criteria.
A 1996-1997 Kobe Bryant's Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card rated Pristine Black Label 10 by BGS was sold for $ 1.8M by Goldin on March 6, 2021, lot 1.
A card graded Pristine 10 by BGS which lacks a half point in centering to obtain the Black Label was sold for $ 520K by Heritage on February 27, 2021, lot 80052. A card graded Gem MT 10 by PSA was sold for $ 450K by Goldin on January 31, 2021.
The big step forward was technological. In 1993 Topps incorporates metal into the cardboard. The Topps Finest Baseball series is thus accompanied by a parallel with a chrome plating of the circular frame around the photo. The publisher registers the protected name Refractor to describe this novelty.
Basketball competes with baseball. The first Topps Chrome Refractors series is released in 1996, without serialization. Luckily, it includes Kobe Bryant's rookie card. The metallic frame of the image has become rectangular. It is thus better visible and perhaps also less fragile. Later Topps will introduce color Refractors.
BGS and PSA grade these items in a base scale which is similar. However, BGS goes further by recording on the carrier labels their rating on four criteria : Centering, Corners, Edges and Surface. This allows them to award a higher top end than the mere Gem Mint, the Black Label, for cards rated 10 for all four criteria.
A 1996-1997 Kobe Bryant's Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card rated Pristine Black Label 10 by BGS was sold for $ 1.8M by Goldin on March 6, 2021, lot 1.
A card graded Pristine 10 by BGS which lacks a half point in centering to obtain the Black Label was sold for $ 520K by Heritage on February 27, 2021, lot 80052. A card graded Gem MT 10 by PSA was sold for $ 450K by Goldin on January 31, 2021.
1996 Home Jersey
2021 SOLD for $ 3.7M by Goldin
On May 22, 2021, Goldin sold for $ 3.7M one of the very first Lakers home jerseys worn by Kobe Bryant, lot 10. It has been matched to a photo shoot before the opening of the 1996-1997 season.
This size 44 Lakers 8 jersey has also been conclusively matched by Resolution Photomatching to seven home games from that season including against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 8, 1996, plus tentatively to two other games.
This jersey is correct to the uniforms made by Champion for the Lakers in the 1996-1997 season and the autograph signature has been authenticated by Beckett. It is in a condition of an extensive game use.
This size 44 Lakers 8 jersey has also been conclusively matched by Resolution Photomatching to seven home games from that season including against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 8, 1996, plus tentatively to two other games.
This jersey is correct to the uniforms made by Champion for the Lakers in the 1996-1997 season and the autograph signature has been authenticated by Beckett. It is in a condition of an extensive game use.
1997 Home Jersey
2022 SOLD for $ 2.74M by SCP
A home jersey in the purple and gold colors of the Lakers was sold for $ 2.74M by SCP on June 4, 2022, lot 1. It is illustrated in the pre sale article by Sports Collectors Daily. It bears the number 8 of Kobe Bryant. Please watch the video shared by the auction house and the pre sale video shared by TMZ.
Previously unknown, it surfaced for that auction when the consignor knew about the earlier rookie jersey of Kobe Bryant that was sold for $ 3.7M by Goldin on May 22, 2021. He claims having it presented to him directly by Kobe.
This piece of uniform has recognizable mesh holes lined up with stitching and loose threads. It has been photo-matched by three matching service providers with overall five matches of Bryant's rookie season from April 1997 ending in two NBA playoff in May 8 and 10 which were his last home games of that season.
The Lakers lost that semifinal to the Utah. In the fifth and final game in Salt Lake City, the not yet 19 year old champion performed no less than 4 jump shots during the overtime.
Previously unknown, it surfaced for that auction when the consignor knew about the earlier rookie jersey of Kobe Bryant that was sold for $ 3.7M by Goldin on May 22, 2021. He claims having it presented to him directly by Kobe.
This piece of uniform has recognizable mesh holes lined up with stitching and loose threads. It has been photo-matched by three matching service providers with overall five matches of Bryant's rookie season from April 1997 ending in two NBA playoff in May 8 and 10 which were his last home games of that season.
The Lakers lost that semifinal to the Utah. In the fifth and final game in Salt Lake City, the not yet 19 year old champion performed no less than 4 jump shots during the overtime.
2003 Upper Deck Jordan-Bryant Dual Logoman
2025 SOLD for $ 3.2M by Heritage
A 1/1 Upper Deck Dual Logoman featuring together Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant is the first of its kind for this players' pairing. Graded EX-MT 6 by PSA, it was sold for $ 3.2M by Heritage on December 19, 2025, lot 81569.
Pre sale Grok thoughts :
Quote :
Heritage Auctions Sports
@Heritage_Sport Nov 25
The inaugural 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite issue was also the first appearance of the Dual Logoman This is the Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant 1/1 Dual Logoman from that historic issue, and it just hit the auction block Current Bid: $812,500 https://sports.ha.com/itm/basketball-cards/singles-1980-now-/2003-upper-deck-exquisite-collection-dual-logoman-all-nba-access-pass-patches-michael-jordan-and-kobe-bryant-nba-jb-psa-ex-mt-6-d/a/50081-81569.s?Type=social-sports-twitter-2003MJKobeLogoman-112525…
Asking Grok : Relying on that lot and on a single Logoman Jordan card sold by Goldin on June 1, 2024, lot 2, remind how such releases of 1/1 cards by UD were considered in period by the sport card collecting world.
Contemporary Views on Upper Deck's 1/1 Card Releases in the Exquisite Collection
The 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Basketball set, which introduced the inaugural Dual Logoman design (featuring game-worn patches from NBA All-Star floor logos), represented a seismic shift in the sports card collecting world. At the time, the hobby was transitioning from mass-produced wax packs to premium, limited-edition products, but Exquisite pushed boundaries in ways that sparked intense debate among collectors, dealers, and industry insiders. Relying on the Heritage Auctions lot (the unsigned 2003 Exquisite 1/1 Dual Logoman Jordan-Bryant patch card, PSA EX-MT 6, currently bidding over $800K as of late November 2025) and the June 1, 2024, Goldin auction of the signed 2003-04 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Michael Jordan Logoman Autograph 1/1 (sold for $2.928M, PSA Authentic/10 Auto, featuring a Bulls jersey patch previously thought "long lost"), here's a recap of how these ultra-rare 1/1 releases were perceived during their era (circa 2003-2004). Perceptions were drawn from early forum discussions, hobby media previews, and dealer allocations, as social media like X/Twitter didn't exist yet—word spread via message boards (e.g., Collectors Universe), hobby magazines, and word-of-mouth at card shows.
1. Shock and Skepticism Over Pricing and Exclusivity
Pre sale Grok thoughts :
Quote :
Heritage Auctions Sports
@Heritage_Sport Nov 25
The inaugural 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite issue was also the first appearance of the Dual Logoman This is the Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant 1/1 Dual Logoman from that historic issue, and it just hit the auction block Current Bid: $812,500 https://sports.ha.com/itm/basketball-cards/singles-1980-now-/2003-upper-deck-exquisite-collection-dual-logoman-all-nba-access-pass-patches-michael-jordan-and-kobe-bryant-nba-jb-psa-ex-mt-6-d/a/50081-81569.s?Type=social-sports-twitter-2003MJKobeLogoman-112525…
- This X post from Heritage Auctions promotes the auction of a rare 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite 1/1 Dual Logoman card featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant patches, marking the debut of the Dual Logoman design in trading cards, accompanied by a dramatic video showcasing the slabbed PSA EX-MT 6 graded item.
- The card's patches derive from NBA All-Star game floor logos, a premium feature that elevates its collectibility; unlike the signed 2007-08 version that sold for a record $12.9 million in August 2025, this unsigned inaugural piece highlights early innovation in high-end basketball memorabilia.
- As of November 25, 2025, bidding stands at $812,500 via Heritage's platform, reflecting sustained demand post the recent blockbuster sale, with the auction likely to draw collectors seeking foundational pieces in the Jordan-Bryant crossover market.
Asking Grok : Relying on that lot and on a single Logoman Jordan card sold by Goldin on June 1, 2024, lot 2, remind how such releases of 1/1 cards by UD were considered in period by the sport card collecting world.
Contemporary Views on Upper Deck's 1/1 Card Releases in the Exquisite Collection
The 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Basketball set, which introduced the inaugural Dual Logoman design (featuring game-worn patches from NBA All-Star floor logos), represented a seismic shift in the sports card collecting world. At the time, the hobby was transitioning from mass-produced wax packs to premium, limited-edition products, but Exquisite pushed boundaries in ways that sparked intense debate among collectors, dealers, and industry insiders. Relying on the Heritage Auctions lot (the unsigned 2003 Exquisite 1/1 Dual Logoman Jordan-Bryant patch card, PSA EX-MT 6, currently bidding over $800K as of late November 2025) and the June 1, 2024, Goldin auction of the signed 2003-04 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Michael Jordan Logoman Autograph 1/1 (sold for $2.928M, PSA Authentic/10 Auto, featuring a Bulls jersey patch previously thought "long lost"), here's a recap of how these ultra-rare 1/1 releases were perceived during their era (circa 2003-2004). Perceptions were drawn from early forum discussions, hobby media previews, and dealer allocations, as social media like X/Twitter didn't exist yet—word spread via message boards (e.g., Collectors Universe), hobby magazines, and word-of-mouth at card shows.
1. Shock and Skepticism Over Pricing and Exclusivity
- The $500 suggested retail price per "pack" (actually a single five-card box in an engraved wooden case) was revolutionary—and divisive. Collectors gasped at the cost, which was nearly double the prior high-end benchmark (e.g., 2000-01 Ultimate Collection at ~$100/pack). Forum threads from March-April 2004 on Collectors Universe captured the era's raw reactions: one user quipped, "If you want to buy these basketball cards, mortgage the house," while another predicted resale boxes hitting $800 due to severe allocation (only ~3,600 packs produced total, or 1,200 cases). Dealers like Blowout Cards echoed this, noting presales at $450/box and Upper Deck limiting orders to one case per retailer despite demand—leading to frustration like, "Those #%$@'s at Upper Deck are only letting me get one case... $#@% $&#@!!!!!".
- For 1/1s like the Dual Logoman (debuting in Exquisite as unsigned patch cards, later evolving to signed autos in Ultimate Collection), the scarcity amplified the sticker shock. The concept of a "1/1 masterpiece" from floor-logo patches was novel, but many viewed it as elitist gatekeeping. Hobby media (e.g., Sports Collectors Digest previews) described it as "unheard-of," with collectors debating if it commoditized the hobby—turning cards into luxury investments rather than accessible fun. One 2004 forum post summed it up: "This isn't collecting; it's for whales who can afford to chase unicorns."
- Despite the backlash, Exquisite's innovations—thicker stock, on-card hard-signed autos, and relic patches (including the first Logoman-style embeds)—earned it "Mount Rushmore" status even in previews. Upper Deck's Jason Cheung (product manager) emphasized creating an "experience," not just cards, with every pull feeling premium. Early buzz on boards highlighted the rookie class (LeBron, Wade, Anthony, Bosh) as a jackpot, but 1/1s like the Jordan-Bryant Dual Logoman were hailed as "stop-you-dead" hits for their beauty and rarity. A 2004 Blowout Cards breakdown praised the low print run (e.g., only 3600 packs vs. 750K+ for mainstream sets), calling it "severely allocated" and a "strong product" that would "go to war" among set builders.
- The Goldin 2003 Ultimate Jordan Logoman (a direct evolution of Exquisite's patch tech, adding a signed Bulls jersey swatch) was similarly buzzed in 2004 previews as the "first Jordan Logoman in Bulls colors," positioning it as a foundational "chase" card. Collectors on forums geeked out over the patch sourcing (game-used All-Star floors), seeing it as Upper Deck's bid to elevate relics beyond basic jersey swatches.
- Budget-conscious collectors (the hobby's majority then) felt alienated, with reactions like "Not for everyone—dream and drool from afar" in Cardboard Connection retrospectives echoing 2003-04 sentiments. Message boards were rife with envy over allocations, as hobby shops got limited stock, fueling gray-market flips at 50-100% markups. Yet, high-end enthusiasts (e.g., those targeting RPAs for obscure rookies like Luke Walton /4) saw it as a smart bet, predicting scarcity would drive values—prophetic, given today's $40K+ unopened boxes.
- For 1/1s specifically, the period vibe was "holy grail hunting": Exquisite's hand-packed nature (ensuring rares like Loganans circulated) created lottery-like thrill, but also FOMO. A 2004 Upper Deck blog preview noted "message boards... at a fledgling state," but word-of-mouth hype built fast, with collectors planning yearly budgets around the June 8 release. The Dual Logoman's debut as an unsigned "foundational piece" (per Heritage's lot description) was seen as innovative groundwork for later signed mega-hits, though some griped it teased affordability without delivering.
- While the query focuses on the period, the Goldin sale's 2024 hype (Ken Goldin calling it "the single best... most sought-after" Jordan card) underscores how 2003-04 views aged into reverence. Contemporary doubters who "baulked at $500" now lament missing bargains, as Exquisite paved the way for Logoman mania—evident in the Heritage lot's sustained bidding post the $12.9M 2007 signed dual sale. Forums today still romanticize it as "the set that changed everything," validating early excitement over skepticism.
2004 Lakers Locker
2024 SOLD for $ 2.9M by Sotheby's
Opened in 1999 and renamed crypto.com arena in 2021, the Staples Center is the home of the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe Bryant made his whole career with that club, from 1996 to 2016.
The champion used for his home games in the second part of his career a locker identified by a nameplate in white lettering on purple. The piece of furniture in wood and metal 2.50 m high has been photo-matched by MeiGray with eleven images from 2004 to 2016, including a showering of champagne on him after his final game. The nameplate has been authenticated by Sports Investors Authentication.
It was sold for $ 2.9M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Sotheby's on August 2, 2024, lot 1. A portion of the proceeds was to benefit the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation.
The champion used for his home games in the second part of his career a locker identified by a nameplate in white lettering on purple. The piece of furniture in wood and metal 2.50 m high has been photo-matched by MeiGray with eleven images from 2004 to 2016, including a showering of champagne on him after his final game. The nameplate has been authenticated by Sports Investors Authentication.
It was sold for $ 2.9M from a lower estimate of $ 1M by Sotheby's on August 2, 2024, lot 1. A portion of the proceeds was to benefit the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation.
2008 Upper Deck Jordan-Bryant Dual Logoman
2025 SOLD for $ 13M by Heritage
Established in 1988, Upper Deck modernized the sport cards. In 1990, the player's autograph signature is added to some prestige UD series, in necessarily limited quantities. The first trading card autographed by Michael Jordan is a 1996 Upper Deck in the SPx series.
In 1997 the new impulse for special effects appeals their competitors including Fleer and the ephemeral Metal Universe. Upper Deck creates another goodies : the jersey fragment inlaid on the card.
The first series that displays pieces from a Jordan jersey in the Game Jersey edition of Upper Deck for the 1997-98 season, with a 1998 double copyright to the publisher and to the NBA.
This card is serialized out of a high figure of 23 which corresponds to the player's number but does not mean that this quantity has been entirely produced. Jersey and photos relate to a prestigious event, the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in which Jordan scored 18 points in 31 minutes of play.
The card 21/23, certified by PSA, was sold for $ 2.1M by Goldin on May 22, 2021, lot 3. It is graded 9 for the autograph and NM-MT 8 for the condition. Its game-worn patch relic is a tri-color piece.
In the 2002-2003 season, Upper Deck began to incorporate a guaranteed game worn NBA Logoman patch or a piece of jersey. They were made of a large jersey patch over a small photo of the player.
One of one serialized cards of the Ultimate Collection have in dedicated places the Logoman patch, the signature of the player and a photo of the player in action.
A 2003-2004 1 of 1 Ultimate referred as MJ-L of Michael Jordan in his former Chicago Bulls period was sold for $ 2.9M by Goldin on June 1, 2024, lot 2. The 1/1 serial number is manuscript. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
PSA has guaranteed its authenticity without grading it, which means that it has a major flaw. This case has become frequent due to the increased complexity of the make. The signature in blue ink is graded a perfect GEM MT 10 by PSA/DNA.
The 2009-10 National Treasures Steph Curry Logoman Autograph card is reputed to have been sold in 2021 for $ 5.9M in a private sale.
Upper Deck edited from 2004 in their Exquisite collection a Dual Logoman format with the NBA Logoman patch of two players and their autograph.
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are featured together in a unique example. It was issued for the season 2007-2008 and is copyrighted 2008. Jordan's patch is from the 1996-97 season. Both players appear in other pairings.
This 1/1 has been graded EX/MT 6 by PSA. It was sold for $ 13M from a lower estimate of $ 6M by Heritage on August 23, 2025, lot 80063.
An example of dual NBA Logoman cards linked to the Upper Deck Exquisite Collection features LeBron James on left side and Kobe Bryant on right side. It was released for the 2009-2010 season with a 2009 copyright. The portrait is limited to the head by the place for the signature. LeBron is in action while Kobe is smiling. This unique card is graded EX-MT+ 6.5 by PSA and AUTO 9 by PSA/DNA. It was sold for $ 1.16M by Goldin on June 15, 2025, lot 1.
Response by Grok :
Quote Heritage Auctions @HeritageAuction Aug 24
New record The only copy that will ever exist of an extraordinary card featuring images, NBA uniform logos, and signatures from two of the greatest players of all time broke the records for the highest price ever paid for a card Saturday in @Heritage_Sport Summer Platinum
In 1997 the new impulse for special effects appeals their competitors including Fleer and the ephemeral Metal Universe. Upper Deck creates another goodies : the jersey fragment inlaid on the card.
The first series that displays pieces from a Jordan jersey in the Game Jersey edition of Upper Deck for the 1997-98 season, with a 1998 double copyright to the publisher and to the NBA.
This card is serialized out of a high figure of 23 which corresponds to the player's number but does not mean that this quantity has been entirely produced. Jersey and photos relate to a prestigious event, the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in which Jordan scored 18 points in 31 minutes of play.
The card 21/23, certified by PSA, was sold for $ 2.1M by Goldin on May 22, 2021, lot 3. It is graded 9 for the autograph and NM-MT 8 for the condition. Its game-worn patch relic is a tri-color piece.
In the 2002-2003 season, Upper Deck began to incorporate a guaranteed game worn NBA Logoman patch or a piece of jersey. They were made of a large jersey patch over a small photo of the player.
One of one serialized cards of the Ultimate Collection have in dedicated places the Logoman patch, the signature of the player and a photo of the player in action.
A 2003-2004 1 of 1 Ultimate referred as MJ-L of Michael Jordan in his former Chicago Bulls period was sold for $ 2.9M by Goldin on June 1, 2024, lot 2. The 1/1 serial number is manuscript. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
PSA has guaranteed its authenticity without grading it, which means that it has a major flaw. This case has become frequent due to the increased complexity of the make. The signature in blue ink is graded a perfect GEM MT 10 by PSA/DNA.
The 2009-10 National Treasures Steph Curry Logoman Autograph card is reputed to have been sold in 2021 for $ 5.9M in a private sale.
Upper Deck edited from 2004 in their Exquisite collection a Dual Logoman format with the NBA Logoman patch of two players and their autograph.
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are featured together in a unique example. It was issued for the season 2007-2008 and is copyrighted 2008. Jordan's patch is from the 1996-97 season. Both players appear in other pairings.
This 1/1 has been graded EX/MT 6 by PSA. It was sold for $ 13M from a lower estimate of $ 6M by Heritage on August 23, 2025, lot 80063.
An example of dual NBA Logoman cards linked to the Upper Deck Exquisite Collection features LeBron James on left side and Kobe Bryant on right side. It was released for the 2009-2010 season with a 2009 copyright. The portrait is limited to the head by the place for the signature. LeBron is in action while Kobe is smiling. This unique card is graded EX-MT+ 6.5 by PSA and AUTO 9 by PSA/DNA. It was sold for $ 1.16M by Goldin on June 15, 2025, lot 1.
Response by Grok :
Quote Heritage Auctions @HeritageAuction Aug 24
New record The only copy that will ever exist of an extraordinary card featuring images, NBA uniform logos, and signatures from two of the greatest players of all time broke the records for the highest price ever paid for a card Saturday in @Heritage_Sport Summer Platinum
- The 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman card, featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant's signatures and game-worn patches, sold for $12.932 million due to its 1-of-1 rarity, a value supported by a 2023 study from the Journal of Cultural Economics showing unique sports memorabilia can command prices 10-15 times higher than mass-produced items.
- This sale on August 24, 2025, at Heritage Auctions surpassed the $12.6 million record set by a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, reflecting a booming sports collectibles market fueled by investors like Kevin O'Leary, whose syndicate purchase aligns with a 2024 Deloitte report projecting a 12% annual growth in memorabilia value through 2030.
- The card's price challenges the traditional view of sports cards as mere nostalgia, suggesting a shift toward viewing them as alternative assets, a trend backed by a 2022 NBER study indicating collectibles now account for 3% of global alternative investment portfolios.
(2007)-2008 Mamba Mentality Jersey
2023 SOLD for $ 5.8M by Sotheby's
The competition passion of Kobe Bryant, who identified himself as Black Mamba, was a major inspiration for the younger NBA players and for sport and business beyond basketball. He was everyday demanding the most from himself to become and remain the best. His work ethic is identified as the Mamba mentality. A playmate wrote : "Kobe knew that to be the best you need a different approach from everyone else."
An image of Kobe is iconic and had many derivative products such as murals, posters, magazines, t-shirts, skateboards, tattoos and more. The champion is screaming his triumph and pumping his chest in elation after scoring a decisive three point shot for his Lakers against Denver on April 23, 2008. When Kobe was posthumously enshrined in 2020 into the Hall of Fame, this moment was featured on the program and VIP Passes for the evening.
The number 24 Lakers gold home jersey worn by Kobe on this image had an extensive use during the 2007-2008 season with 26 photomatchings authenticated by MeiGray from Getty images. The catalogue estimates that Kobe Bryant scored 645 points in this jersey.
It was also worn for the MVP (Most Valuable Player) trophy presentation on May 7, 2008, which was the only NBA MVP of his career.
This Adidas jersey size 54 plus 2 length was sold for $ 5.8M by Sotheby's on February 9, 2023, lot 1. The uniform is accompanied with photos of period murals in Los Angeles and with an illustrated skate deck.
An image of Kobe is iconic and had many derivative products such as murals, posters, magazines, t-shirts, skateboards, tattoos and more. The champion is screaming his triumph and pumping his chest in elation after scoring a decisive three point shot for his Lakers against Denver on April 23, 2008. When Kobe was posthumously enshrined in 2020 into the Hall of Fame, this moment was featured on the program and VIP Passes for the evening.
The number 24 Lakers gold home jersey worn by Kobe on this image had an extensive use during the 2007-2008 season with 26 photomatchings authenticated by MeiGray from Getty images. The catalogue estimates that Kobe Bryant scored 645 points in this jersey.
It was also worn for the MVP (Most Valuable Player) trophy presentation on May 7, 2008, which was the only NBA MVP of his career.
This Adidas jersey size 54 plus 2 length was sold for $ 5.8M by Sotheby's on February 9, 2023, lot 1. The uniform is accompanied with photos of period murals in Los Angeles and with an illustrated skate deck.
2009 NBA Finals Home Jersey
2024 SOLD for $ 1.75M by Sotheby's
Kobe Bryant became the leader of the Los Angeles Lakers after his teammate and personal feud Shaq O'Neal was transferred from the club in 2004. In 2006 he scored 81 points in a single game, the second highest figure in NBA after Wilt Chamberlain's famous 100 points.
The Lakers had not won an NBA final since 2002 when Shaq had been elected as the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the third consecutive year.
In 2009 the Lakers enter the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. Kobe feels a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. Despite a 100-75 win in Los Angeles in the first game including 40 points by him plus 8 rebounds and 8 assists, the highly sensitive Kobe is not happy with that result far below his desire to demonstrate his new Mamba Mentality ethic.
The Lakers win the series 4-1 with Kobe elected the NBA Finals MVP for the first time in his career. Kobe was then able to relax.
Kobe Bryant's game worn home jersey number 24 from Game 1 of the 2009 NBA finals was sold for $ 1.75M by Sotheby's on April 10, 2024, lot 1. It has been photo-matched by MeiGray.
The Lakers had not won an NBA final since 2002 when Shaq had been elected as the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the third consecutive year.
In 2009 the Lakers enter the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. Kobe feels a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. Despite a 100-75 win in Los Angeles in the first game including 40 points by him plus 8 rebounds and 8 assists, the highly sensitive Kobe is not happy with that result far below his desire to demonstrate his new Mamba Mentality ethic.
The Lakers win the series 4-1 with Kobe elected the NBA Finals MVP for the first time in his career. Kobe was then able to relax.
Kobe Bryant's game worn home jersey number 24 from Game 1 of the 2009 NBA finals was sold for $ 1.75M by Sotheby's on April 10, 2024, lot 1. It has been photo-matched by MeiGray.
2013 Home Jersey
2024 SOLD for $ 1.22M by Goldin
April 2013 was a busy time for Kobe Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers had hired Dwight Howard in the previous August and Bryant correctly felt being challenged in his position as captain. A qualification for the NBA playoffs was a must for Bryant's career.
The 34 years old Bryant had severely sprained his left ankle in March in Atlanta and missed two games. He was also bothered by a bone spur at the same foot. Afterwards the Lakers temporarily lost two other key players for injuries and Bryant began playing almost all 48 minutes each game. On April 10 he scored 47 points against Portland.
On April 12 the Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 118-116 of which 34 points were scored by Bryant despite injuring both knees in collisions in the third quarter. Bryant suffered a torn Achilles tendon of the left foot with 3 minutes left in the last quarter. He did not leave despite a limp and was able to even the score at 109-109 but that wound sidelined him until November.
A Lakers 24 road jersey of Kobe Bryant has been photo-matched by MeiGray to the April 12 game. It has been signed by Bryant. It was sold for $ 1.22M by Goldin on June 1, 2024, lot 3. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
The 34 years old Bryant had severely sprained his left ankle in March in Atlanta and missed two games. He was also bothered by a bone spur at the same foot. Afterwards the Lakers temporarily lost two other key players for injuries and Bryant began playing almost all 48 minutes each game. On April 10 he scored 47 points against Portland.
On April 12 the Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 118-116 of which 34 points were scored by Bryant despite injuring both knees in collisions in the third quarter. Bryant suffered a torn Achilles tendon of the left foot with 3 minutes left in the last quarter. He did not leave despite a limp and was able to even the score at 109-109 but that wound sidelined him until November.
A Lakers 24 road jersey of Kobe Bryant has been photo-matched by MeiGray to the April 12 game. It has been signed by Bryant. It was sold for $ 1.22M by Goldin on June 1, 2024, lot 3. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
