A piece of NBA history tied to the beginning of Kobe Bryant’s legendary career has just fetched $7 million at auction, setting a new benchmark for any Bryant memorabilia ever sold.
The jersey, worn by an 18-year-old Bryant during his 1996-97 rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers, was photo-matched to seven games including his preseason and regular-season debuts. Previously auctioned for just over $115,000 in 2012, the item’s value skyrocketed at Sotheby’s sale, driven by its rarity and emotional significance.
“This marks the nascency of an extraordinary journey,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles. “For iconic athletes like Kobe Bryant, these milestones hold even more significance as they represent a singular moment in time that can never be replicated.”
Bryant’s on-court impact during his rookie debut may have been modest with no points, one rebound, one block in just over six minutes, but his legacy quickly took shape. By his second season, he was an All-Star and runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year, foreshadowing the greatness to come.
The $7 million jersey now ranks as the fourth-most expensive game-worn sports jersey ever sold, trailing only those worn by legends Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, and Diego Maradona. It also cements Sotheby’s dominance in the high-stakes world of NBA memorabilia, having brokered five of the top sales in the sport’s history.
