A Los Angeles auction house is selling a rare Lakers jersey worn by Kobe Bryant during his first breakout NBA season. Bids will be starting off at a whopping $20,000.
What We Know:
- This jersey was worn at some point by Bryant during the 1998-1999 season. Many considered this to be Bryant’s breakout season. Bryant scored an average of 19.9 points per game in the season. The next year, the Lakers began a run of three consecutive NBA championship victories.
- This was the year Bryant was first selected for the NBA All-Star team.
- Nate D. Sanders listed a “Kobe Bryant Game-Worn #8 Lakers Road Jersey From the 1998-1999 Season” on its website, with the jersey set to be auctioned off at a sale on Thursday. The jersey was described as having a “light wear”.
- Although the bidding will start at $20,000, as of Wednesday morning, zero bids had been placed for this item, according to the auctioneer website.
- 10% of the profits will be donated to After-School All-Stars, a not-for-profit Bryant supported during his life. The organization was founded by former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This organization helps provide after-school care for lower-income children.
- This jersey is only a part of a wider sale of Bryant memorabilia, which includes trading cards signed by Bryant, signed basketballs, and replica jerseys also signed by him.
- Bryant’s death took the world by storm in January. Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant, and 7 others were killed in a fatal helicopter crash caused by heavy fog. The group were traveling to Mamba Sports Academy, a facility founded by Bryant.
A star-studded memorial was held for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at the Stables Center, where the Lakers play home games.
