Kobe Bryant's Rookie Lakers Jersey Worn During 1997 NBA Playoffs Sells for $2.74M
Jun 5, 2022
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: Madison Square Garden and The New York Knicks honor the late Kobe Bryant as he is inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame during the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks on May 15, 2021 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Kobe Bryant memorabilia craze is not stopping anytime soon.
A game-worn jersey just sold for $2.74 million over the weekend at SCP Auctions, per TMZ Sports.
According to the listing, Bryant wore the jersey at least five times and twice during the 1997 NBA playoffs. The Lakers were eliminated by the Utah Jazz in the conference semifinals of those playoffs, with Bryant infamously struggling in his first time in the NBA limelight.
Bryant, of course, would use those struggles against Utah as motivation to become one of the most clutch scorers in NBA history.
Memorabilia for the late Lakers legend has been going for record prices since his January 2020 death in a helicopter crash. The jersey sold at auction is the first jersey from his first playoff series to become publicly available.
Twenty-six people bid on the item, though the winner's identity has not been revealed.
Kobe Bryant 1997 'Incredibly Rare,' Signed Card Could Auction for over $1M
May 31, 2022
NBA Basketball -Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant during an Oct. 17, 1997 exhibition game at Kiel Center in St. Louis. (Photo by Peter Newcomb/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)
A signed Kobe Bryant card could go for seven figures after hitting the auction block this week, per TMZ Sports.
SCP Auctions has a version of the 1997 Skybox Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems #81, numbered 60 out of 100. The signature was authenticated and the card was graded in mint condition, making it "incredibly rare" with an expected final price of over $1 million, per TMZ.
One of the rarest and most coveted Kobe Bryant cards in existence -- the 1997 Skybox Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems #81 -- is up for auction. https://t.co/vYfLOYtBOt
A similar card sold for $2 million in February, although it had an emerald green face as one of the first 10 of the 100 PMG cards created.
The latest card has a red background, but the signature could lead to higher bids.
"How rare is a '97 PMG Kobe signed by the Black Mamba himself? This is the first and only known example ever offered publicly," SCP Auctions noted. "It could very well be the only one that exists, making it a true 1-of-1 grail of the late legend."
Bryant was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Class of 2020 after a career that featured 18 All-Star selections and five NBA titles.
Jayson Tatum Says He Watched Kobe Bryant Film Ahead of Celtics' Game 7 Win Over Heat
May 30, 2022
MIAMI, FL - MAY 29: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP award after Game 7 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals on May 29, 2022 at the FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum said he studied one of the all-time greats ahead of Sunday's Game 7 win over the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.
According to Jay King of The Athletic, Tatum said he watched some film of late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, adding: "Obviously, that was my idol, that was my inspiration, that was my favorite player. ... Today, before I took my nap, I do it sometimes, I was watching film and some moments from him and his career."
Tatum also divulged why he wore a purple armband emblazoned with Bryant's No. 24:
"Just to have something to show him in the biggest game of my career so far." 💜💛
Jayson Tatum discusses drawing inspiration from Kobe Bryant after winning the first-ever Larry Bird Trophy awarded to the Eastern Conference Finals MVP. pic.twitter.com/EIkMT6zqlD
In a 100-96 victory, Tatum led the way for Boston with 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and he played 46 of 48 minutes, cementing his status as Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
With Sunday's clutch road win, Tatum and the Celtics now move on to the NBA Finals where they will face the Golden State Warriors.
Many young NBA players revere Bryant after watching him while growing up, and it's easy to understand why given everything the Hall of Famer accomplished.
Kobe spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, during which time he became the fourth-leading scorer of all time with 33,643 regular-season points.
Bryant earned 18 All-Star selections, 15 All-NBA nods, 12 All-Defensive Team choices, four All-Star Game MVP awards, two scoring titles and one NBA MVP award.
The postseason was where Bryant truly shined, though, leading the Lakers to five championships and earning NBA Finals MVP honors twice.
Playoff success largely eluded the Tatum-led Celtics during the early part of his career, but that changed Sunday, as he finally broke through with his first Finals appearance.
Tatum is averaging a Kobe-esque 27.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 3.2 three-pointers made during this postseason.
Now, the challenge for the 24-year-old will be keeping that up in the Finals against a stacked and experienced Warriors team led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins.
The Warriors have reached their sixth Finals in the past eight seasons and are in search of their fourth title during that time.
If Tatum can guide the Celtics to victory, it will mark their first championship since 2008, which fittingly came against Bryant and the Lakers.
LeBron James: I'd Choose Kobe, Durant or Kyrie for 2 vs. 2 Against Jordan, Pippen
May 17, 2022
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 20: (L-R) LeBron James and Michael Jordan attend the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
LeBron James or Michael Jordan has been debated ad nauseam by basketball fans and commentators alike, but the King added an interesting twist to the debate Monday during a question-and-answer session on Twitter on Monday.
James was asked which teammate either past or present he would choose for a two-on-two game against Jordan and Scottie Pippen and responded by saying Kyrie Irving, Kobe Bryant or Kevin Durant.
While Irving was his only teammate during an NBA season from that list, he did play in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics with Bryant and in the 2012 Games with Durant.
Perhaps James stretched the limits of the question a bit by including two of the all-time greats that he only played with on Team USA, but any of those matchups would be intriguing. Former Miami Heat teammate Dwyane Wade would also figure to make a formidable pairing with James in a matchup against the Chicago Bulls legends, but he apparently didn't make the cut.
That means it's just one more thing for fans to argue about when it comes to matching up James and Jordan.
Seahawks' Coby Bryant to Wear No. 8 Jersey in Honor of Namesake Kobe Bryant
May 6, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 06: Coby Bryant #DB06 of the Cincinnati Bearcats runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 06, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks rookie cornerback Coby Bryant is paying homage to his namesake.
Bryant is set to wear the No. 8 for the Seahawks this season in honor of NBA legend and Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, whom he was named after.
Rookie CB Coby Bryant, who was named after the NBA legend, will wear #8 for the Seahawks 🙌 pic.twitter.com/FUZ5sGbz71
The Seahawks selected Bryant with a fourth-round pick (109th overall) in last month's draft. The Cincinnati product won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back during his senior season while playing opposite Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, who was drafted No. 4 overall by the New York Jets.
Bryant, who was nicknamed "Red Mamba" by his Cincinnati teammates, finished his college career with nine interceptions and 35 passes defended over four seasons with the Bearcats. After getting drafted, he explained how being named after a legendary sports figure has motivated him.
"Not really pressure, more of a privilege, honestly," Bryant said. "It just means I have to work twice as hard to live up to that name and set a name for myself as well too and, most importantly, represent him as well as I can."
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said he was impressed with Bryant's football skills as well as his leadership traits.
"It's rare to get a guy that was chosen as the best DB in the country. It doesn't happen very often ... But that's pretty cool," Carroll said. "It's because Coby is such a good football player, just all-around. He can do it all. He's big and strong, really aware leader on that team, on a championship club and a really good playmaker."
Kobe Bryant's Rookie Lakers Jersey Could Sell for $3-5M at Auction; May Set Record
May 1, 2022
1996: Rookie Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles during a game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire)
A Los Angeles Lakers jersey worn by Kobe Bryant during his rookie season could set a record at auction this month.
The auction will begin May 18 and is expected to fetch between $3 and $5 million, David Kohler of SCP Auctions predicted, per Associated Press (via WNYT).
"We feel this could bring a record for any basketball jersey," Kohler said.
The current record is also held by a Bryant rookie jersey, which sold for $3.69 million last May. Although that one was autographed by the Hall of Famer, the latest auction features a jersey that was worn in at least two playoff games during the 1996-97 season.
The seller reportedly held the jersey for 25 years but is now ready to part with the piece of memorabilia after seeing the soaring prices for Black Mamba collectables. A Bryant trading card also sold for $1.8 million last year.
It means Kobe fans will have to pay up for authentic merchandise of the superstar.
Kobe 6 Protro 'Mambacita Sweet 16' Honoring Gigi Bryant to Be Released May 1 by Nike
Apr 29, 2022
CALABASAS, CA - JANUARY 26: Artist Dan Medina's bronze sculpture depicting Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna Bryant, and the names of those who died in a helicopter crash in 2020 is seen during a one-day temporary memorial display in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2022. Retired Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant died along with his daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash that killed nine people on January 26, 2020. The sculpture was temporarily placed at the site of the crash. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
Nike is releasing a new sneaker honoring Gigi Bryant, Kobe Bryant's daughter, on what would be her 16th birthday.
The Kobe 6 Protro "Mambacita Sweet 16" will be released on May 1, with profits benefiting the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
As young hoopers step into parks, driveways, gyms and arenas around the world, Gigi’s spirit will continue to inspire them. With passion, with love, with heart. 🖤 💜 #PlayGigisWay 🧵2/2 pic.twitter.com/dH4GN8p5TJ
Gigi and Kobe Bryant were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Jan. 26, 2020.
In April 2021, Vanessa Bryant, Kobe's widow and Gigi's mother, told ESPN's Nick DePaula that she and Kobe's estate elected not to renew their partnership with Nike when it expired.
"Kobe and Nike have made some of the most beautiful basketball shoes of all time, worn and adored by fans and athletes in all sports across the globe," she said. "It seems fitting that more NBA players wear my husband's product than any other signature shoe."
DePaula noted that Vanessa and Kobe's estate "had grown frustrated" with Nike over its limiting the availability of Kobe merchandise during his retirement and after his death, as well as the lack of Kobe footwear available in kids' sizes.
The report also notes Nike presented a contract extension offer that "was not in line with expectations of an ongoing 'lifetime' structure similar to the Nike Inc. contracts held by both Michael Jordan and LeBron James."
Vanessa then announced last month that the estate agreed to terms on a new deal with Nike. She also said that the agreement calls for the company to donate 100 percent of the net proceeds to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
According to DePaula, approximately 20 percent of NBA players have worn a Kobe sneaker by Nike for at least one game since his death.
Vanessa is also working with Nike to establish a new youth basketball center in Southern California "that will share the Mamba Mentality with youth athletes for generations to come."
Kobe Bryant originally signed with Nike in 2003 after being with Adidas for six years.
Kobe and Gigi Bryant Sweatshirts to Benefit Foundation Sell Out in 24 Minutes
Feb 25, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: Kobe Bryant attends the LA Community Screening of Warner Bros Pictures' "Just Mercy" at Cinemark Baldwin Hills on January 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
A hoodie inspired by Kobe and Gigi Bryant sold out almost as soon as it went on sale.
Per TMZ Sports, the hooded sweatshirt featuring the Mamba & Mambacita logo sold out in less than 24 minutes Thursday.
In a post on Instagram, Vanessa Bryant announced the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation was releasing the hoodie through the official merchandise store thanks to a special donation from Champion.
Bryant added that "100% of the net proceeds will go towards furthering the Foundation’s mission for creating impact for underserved athletes and boys & girls in sports."
Vanessa launched the Mambacita clothing line in honor of what would have been Gigi's 15th birthday on May 1, 2021. All of the proceeds also went to the foundation.
The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation was founded in 2018. The organization's mission is to create a positive impact on the lives of underserved athletes, as well as children in sports.
The hood and right sleeve on the hoodie feature the Nos. 2, 8 and 24 with hearts around each number. They represent the jersey numbers that Gigi and Kobe wore on the basketball court.
Kobe Bryant 1997-98 Precious Metal Gems Card Sells for $2M
Feb 22, 2022
FILE - In this Dc. 18, 2017, file photo, former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant talks during a news conference in Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant was a major proponent of women’s basketball, and his posthumous induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend will be alongside three legends of the women’s game in Kim Mulkey, Tamika Catchings and Barbara Stevens. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
Kobe Bryant memorabilia is still selling for head-turning amounts of money.
PWCC Marketplace sold a 1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Emerald card of Bryant for $2 million. According to Beckett, no other card of the Los Angeles Lakers legend has sold for more.
The card was in impressive condition, especially since "Precious Metal Gems are known for being tough to find in top condition due largely to chipping," per Beckett.
The 1997-98 campaign was Bryant's second in the NBA. He made his first All-Star Game appearance that season and was well on his way to one of the most legendary careers in league history.
PWCC Marketplace also recently sold a card featuring Bryant and Michael Jordan that had autographs and game-worn jerseys of each player. The card sold for $516,000 in April 2021, and it was expected to garner more in the most recent sale.
Bryant was one of nine people who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, in January 2020.
A Hall of Famer and one of the all-time greats, he amassed a resume that included five championships, two NBA Finals MVPs, a league MVP, 15 All-NBA selections, 12 All-Defensive selections and 18 All-Star nods.
Steph Curry: 'Definitely Special' to Win Kobe Bryant Trophy as NBA All-Star Game MVP
Feb 21, 2022
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry holds up the Kobe Bryant Trophy after being named the MVP of the NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Stephen Curry put on a show during Sunday's NBA All-Star Game and took home the Kobe Bryant Trophy as the MVP.
"This is definitely special," Curry said of winning the trophy named after the all-time Los Angeles Lakers great. He added: "Everything on this trophy means something in terms of his life and what he represented, accomplishments on the court."
The NBA redesigned the All-Star Game MVP trophy to honor Bryant with an eight-sided base and 24 stars for the two jersey numbers he wore. The four levels recognize how many All-Star MVPs he won:
The NBA’s new Kobe Bryant Trophy for the All-Star Game MVP features an 8-sided base with 24 stars, and 4 levels of 2, 7, 9 & 11 inches in height — a nod to the 2002, 2007, 2009 & 2011 years in which Kobe won his record-tying 4 All-Star MVPs. pic.twitter.com/tHQIPa7Fu6
