In a remarkable display of Kobe Bryant‘s enduring legacy, the locker he used for the majority of his illustrious NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers sold for a staggering $2.9 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York.
The price nearly doubled the initial estimate of $1.5 million, with 19 bids driving up the final sale price.
Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star guard, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020 at the age of 41. He spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers, cementing his status as one of the greatest players in the league’s history.
The locker, which was saved from being discarded by a maintenance worker during renovations of the Staples Center arena in 2018, was later acquired by an American collector. Sotheby’s head of modern collectables, Brahm Wachter, highlighted the exceptional nature of the item and its significance in reflecting Kobe’s lasting impact on the sport.
The Sotheby’s auction also featured memorabilia from other sporting icons, including Michael Jordan, Reggie Jackson, Rafael Nadal, and Stephen Curry, showcasing the enduring appeal of rare sports collectables. However, it was Kobe Bryant’s locker that stole the spotlight, with its record-breaking sale price serving as a testament to the Lakers legend’s enduring legacy and the immense impact he had on the game of basketball.
