Kobe Bryant’s mother didn’t throw much away. Pamela Bryant has consigned more than 100 items to Goldin Auctions, which will offer them in its June auction. Among the items will be several of Bryant’s uniforms dating back to his high school career and even before.
The auction features an array of trophies, NBA All-Star and championship rings, medals, plaques, game worn uniforms and more from his childhood in Italy, his high school years in Pennsylvania and his early years in the NBA.
“It is gratifying to once again work with the Bryant family to bring this spectacular collection to auction,” said Ken Goldin, Founder of Goldin Auctions. “I had the pleasure of working with Kobe and his family in 1996 when he was making the leap from high school to the NBA and I signed him to his very first autograph and trading card deal. Over the past 17 years he has had reached spectacular heights and joined the conversation of the greatest players in NBA history.”
What will likely be the prize of the collection is his road maroon Lower Merion High School (LMHS) basketball uniform (shorts and jersey) from his freshman year. Bryant wore #24, as a freshman, before switching to #33 for the remainder of his high school career. The auction company believes it to be the only authentic game worn #24 Kobe Bryant LMHS jersey in existence. The next time Bryant wore a #24 jersey was when he switched from #8 for the Lakers following the 2005-06 NBA season.
Also up for bid will be two complete #33 LMHS uniforms (shorts and jersey) worn during his high school career. One uniform is in the home white and the other is the road maroon.
The six rings in the collection include: his 1996 High School McDonald’s All-American ring; 1996 High School State Championship ring; 1998 and 2000 NBA All-Star rings; plus a team issued Kobe Bryant 2000 Lakers championship ring made for his father Joe Bryant and a specially designed version for his mom.
“A team issued championship ring is among the most treasured of all sports collectibles and the opportunity to own one from an active player as historically significant as Kobe Bryant is rare,” said Goldin. “It’s also an remarkable opportunity for collectors to own Kobe’s two most prominent amateur rings including his McDonald’s All-American ring and his only amateur championship ring.”
Other items up for grabs will be Bryant’s 1993-’94, ’94-95 and ’95-96 LMHS MVP plaques; 1996 Gatorade High School Player of the Year plaque; several LMHS practice jerseys, sweatsuit tops, warm-up jerseys; multiple LMHS Varsity Letters awarded for basketball; and his actual LMHS Central League Champions jacket.
From his time as a youngster in Italy while his dad was playing ball there will be an Italian Rieti #44 jersey – the earliest known Kobe Bryant game worn jersey ever offered at auction. Additional items will be announced closer the start of the auction in June.
All items are accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity signed by Pamela Bryant. Goldin Auctions will also be issuing a LOA with each item guaranteeing its authenticity as well as its origin.
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[…] and owner Ken Goldin had announced the auction last week, a large consignment of potentially valuable uniforms from Bryant’s high school career as well as […]