Home/NBA

via Getty

via Getty

Kobe Bryant was the man, the myth, and the legend. Over the years, he solidified his place in the hearts of the fans so much so that the Los Angeles Lakers retired both his jersey numbers with the same team. Thus, he became the first NBA player to have this honor. And recently, his second statue was revealed in a private ceremony and a third statue, as per Vanessa Bryant, will be unveiled next year. Amidst all this, another one of his Lakers souvenirs has been sold for $2.9 million.

As per journalist Arash Markazi, his locker from the Staples Center was sold at a whopping $2.9 million. This became the most valuable sports locker to be sold at an auction ever. The locker occupies a place in the heart of fans since it was the same locker Kobe used during his 62 points against the Dallas Mavericks in 2005. Plus, it was the same memorabilia that Kobe had used when he had scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors. The locker was also used by the star during the NBA Finals in 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Moving on, the statue was unveiled in a private ceremony outside The House That Kobe built. The statue showed Kobe pecking her daughter Gigi on the forehead which marks the second sculpted work of art to be released after his death. The date was also significant since it is 8/2/24 and contains the two jersey numbers that Kobe wore during his career – 8 and 24. Apart from that, his daughter Gigi wore the number 2 jersey.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The pictures of Kobe and Gigi’s statue were leaked on Friday which had a lot of fans feeling emotional. They were moved by the statue and everyone had a recollection of January 2020 when they lost a legend and his daughter along with seven others in a helicopter crash. However, to etch his name in their memory forever, the locker was not the only thing that was auctioned.

Another Kobe Bryant memorabilia

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Bryant’s jersey was sold at an auction for $5.8 million. This sale by Sotheby’s in February 2023 made it the second costliest basketball jersey ever sold. Previously too, Bryant’s other jersey was sold for $3.7 million. Furthermore, even Goldin Auctions sold one of the jerseys that he wore during the 2013 game against the Warriors – the one in which he tore his ACL for an exceptional $1.2 million.

Plus, even a copy of his first championship ring was sold for $927,200 in March which made it the highest-priced NBA ring ever to be sold at an auction. He had actually gifted that ring to his father.

And now that Kobe’s locker has been sold, his fans will be keeping an eye on his future items. Plus, they would be looking to etch his name in history with his memorabilia.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.