- Kobe Bryant’s locker, used during his Lakers career, sold for $2.9 million at a Sotheby’s auction, nearly double its estimated price
- The locker, saved from being discarded during Staples Center renovations, highlights Bryant’s enduring legacy and the exceptional nature of the item
The locker used by Kobe Bryant for the majority of his illustrious NBA career sold for $2.9 million on Friday in New York, as part of a Sotheby’s auction featuring rare sports memorabilia.
This locker, used by Bryant during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, fetched nearly double its estimated price of $1.5 million.
Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star guard, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020 at the age of 41. He played his entire NBA career, spanning from 1996 to 2016, with the Lakers.
According to Sotheby’s, a maintenance worker saved the locker from being discarded during the Staples Center’s 2018 renovations. An American collector later acquired it.
“Today’s price highlights not only Kobe’s enduring legacy but also the exceptional nature of this unique item,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectables, commenting on the price achieved after 19 bids.
The auction also included memorabilia from other sporting legends, such as Michael Jordan and Reggie Jackson, as well as items from contemporary stars, such as Rafael Nadal and Stephen Curry.