The day was November 3, 1996, when Kobe Bryant made history by being the youngest player to gear up for an NBA game. He was drafted right after high school. Jermaine O’Neal later broke that record. It was evident right in Bryant’s debut NBA game, that the 18-year-old was bound to make history. And that very first piece of history and legacy has immense value even till this day. Not so surprisingly, that rare memorabilia from Bryant’s game broke records at the auction block. It even went on to break the NBA great Michael Jordan‘s record with its sale.

Just a few days ago, one of Bryant’s oldest jerseys from his rookie year was announced to be headed to auction. This Lakers jersey was first auctioned for a little more than $115K back in 2012. And right in its first bidding, the jersey demanded a high value from collectors, enthusiasts, and fans. The first bid online was nearly $5 million. And with its first bid, it broke the record set by Jordan’s rookie year jersey, which sold for $4.21 million earlier in March.

Both were expected to sell for $10 million. However, Bryant’s jersey sold for $7 million at the Sotheby’s auction. This jersey is photo-matched to a number of preseason and regular-season games in 1996 and is known to have been worn on the court by Bryant at least seven times. This is the same year when Bryant rose to popularity for his talent and his insane skills.

While it didn’t reach its expected value, Bryant’s jersey did break the record set by his own jersey.

Bryant’s Lakers jersey from his 2007–08 MVP season now holds the record as the second most expensive game memorabilia of Bryant’s career. This jersey is from the later part of Bryant’s NBA career and featured the No. 24. In 2023, it was sold for $5.8 million, breaking the record previously set by his 1996–97 rookie season game-used, signed home Lakers jersey, which sold for $3.6 million.

His jersey did break the record set by the recent sale of Jordan’s jersey, but the record expensive jersey is still held by the Chicago Bulls legend.

Kobe Bryant’s jersey couldn’t dethrone Michael Jordan’s 1988 NBA Finals Jersey 

The Los Angeles Lakers legend’s jersey now rests in second place among the most expensive NBA game-worn jerseys sold to date. The top spot still belongs to Jordan. The 1998 NBA Finals Game 1 jersey was sold for $10.1 million at Sotheby’s auction. He dropped 33 points in a matchup against the Utah Jazz. While the Jazz led by John Stockton, won Game 1, the Chicago Bulls ultimately won the series.

Needless to mention, The Last Dance docuseries was also largely responsible for driving up the jersey’s value and the popularity of the Bulls once again. “[The] record-breaking result, with an astounding 20 bids, solidifies Michael Jordan as the undisputed GOAT, proving his name and incomparable legacy is just as relevant as it was nearly 25 years ago,” Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of streetwear and modern collectibles, said.

The crown for the most expensive jersey ever sold is still held by the 1932 Babe Ruth “Called Shot” jersey. After being sold for $940,000 in 2005, it set a record with a $24.12 million sale price in 2024. Bryant’s 2009 NBA Finals Game jersey fetched $1.7 million. Had the latest jersey fetched more than its expectations, it might have claimed the top spot. Nonetheless, the late Los Angeles Lakers’ jersey remains priceless. While it is sold for a million, the jersey is undoubtedly worth more in fans’ hearts.

The auction of Kobe Bryant’s rookie jersey, while falling short of the most ambitious predictions, still achieved a significant milestone, surpassing the value of Michael Jordan’s own rookie-era memorabilia. However, the ultimate crown for the most expensive NBA jersey remains firmly in the grasp of Michael Jordan’s 1998 Finals attire, a sign of his unparalleled impact and the enduring power of his final championship run. While Bryant’s memorabilia continues to command staggering prices, reflecting his profound influence on the game, the apex of basketball jersey values still belongs to his legendary predecessor, a hierarchy perhaps mirroring their on-court debates for the title of GOAT. Ultimately, these auctions serve as more than just financial transactions; they are links to basketball history, preserving the legacies of these titans for generations to come.