via Getty
During the National Anthem Lakers Kobe Bryant points to upward honoring Lakers owner Jerry Buss at the Staples Center Wednesday. Dr. Jerry Buss, died Monday of cancer at age 80. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
via Getty
During the National Anthem Lakers Kobe Bryant points to upward honoring Lakers owner Jerry Buss at the Staples Center Wednesday. Dr. Jerry Buss, died Monday of cancer at age 80. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
NBA trading cards have been on a roll lately. Be it the $4 million sale of Slovenian prodigy Luka Doncic’s card or the sale of Lakers’ talisman LeBron James’ card, trading cards prices have been on an all-time high. The latest to join this list is the rookie card of Kobe Bryant.
Kobe Bryant’s record-breaking trading card sale
Recently, Kobe Bryant’s rookie year card was put up for auction. It was solid for a mind-boggling $1.79 million, making it the most expensive Kobe card to be sold.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Kobe Bryant rookie card sells for $1.79 million tonight at @GoldinAuctions, now the 10th most expensive card purchased of all time.
This is your new Top 10 https://t.co/z9ylkaYDl6 pic.twitter.com/Z1BLUMEroA
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 7, 2021
Ever since the ‘Black Mamba’s tragic loss a year ago, prices of sports memorabilia related to Kobe have sky-rocketed. And so, it is not a surprise that Kobe’s pristine rookie card was sold for such a staggering amount.
With the latest sale, the rookie card became the 10th most expensive trading card sold to date. Other notable cards in this list are LeBron James‘ rookie patch card worth $1.8 million, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 13-14 Logoman Patch Autograph worth $1.8 million, and Luka Doncic‘s recently sold Logoman Patch Autograph worth an astonishing $4.2 million.
Given the recent surge in the prices of trading cards, it will be fascinating to see who’s trading card breaks all these records.
Is Kobe Bryant the GOAT?
Kobe Bryant was arguably one of the best players NBA has ever seen. Ever since his debut in the NBA, ‘Black Mamba’ showed flashes of being a generational talent.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In his 20-year-career, ‘Black Mamba‘ made the All-Star team a staggering 18 times. He was also a versatile player in the offensive and defensive end, winning 2-scoring titles and becoming a member of All-Defensive teams 12 times.
via Getty
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant chews on his jersey for a few seconds as he runs downcourt against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center. (Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
He also topped his Lakers teammate Shaquille O’Neal to win five NBA championships and two Finals MVPs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
With such an accomplished CV, any other player would ride off into the sunset. But Kobe was built different. Shortly after his retirement, the 2007-08 MVP started off his own basketball academy, called the ‘Mamba Academy’. Focused on the development of women’s basketball, Bryant became a key figure in the WNBA community.
But unfortunately, the world lost the icon a year ago in a helicopter crash. Mamba’s legacy still lives in within the NBA community. Be it his impeccable work ethic or inspiring ‘Mamba’ Mentality, everyone adores Kobe. Given his incredible achievements throughout his lifetime, Kobe Bryant is arguably the GOAT of basketball.
