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Quick Bytes
- Kobe Bryant’s Staples Center locker is up for auction with an estimate of $1-1.5 million.
- The locker was preserved by a maintenance worker in 2018 and later bought by a collector.
- A portion of the auction’s proceeds will benefit the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation.
- Paul George honors Kobe by choosing jersey No. 8 with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Kobe Bryant’s Iconic Locker Hits the Auction Block
Sotheby’s in New York has unveiled a unique piece of sports history: the Staples Center locker of basketball icon Kobe Bryant. This treasured item is part of the ALTITUDE Capsule Collection and is open for bids until August 2nd.
The locker, which Kobe used from 2003 to 2016, was saved during renovations at the Staples Center by a thoughtful maintenance worker. It has witnessed Kobe’s most memorable moments, including his 81-point game and the Lakers’ 2010 NBA Finals victory over the Celtics. Now owned by a collector who also has Kobe’s original locker nameplate, it represents a tangible piece of the legend’s storied career.
Brahm Wachter of Sotheby’s highlighted the locker’s significance, calling it a “sacred relic” of Kobe’s journey in the NBA. The auction not only offers fans a chance to own a part of Kobe’s legacy but also supports a good cause. Proceeds from the sale will aid the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation in their mission to empower underserved youth through education, health, wellness, and sports programs.
The locker will be showcased at Sotheby’s New York galleries alongside other sports memorabilia, including a Diego Maradona signed jersey and Michael Jordan’s final game shorts. In a touching tribute to Kobe’s influence, NBA star Paul George has chosen to wear jersey No. 8 with the Philadelphia 76ers, honoring the late Lakers legend who also had a connection to Philadelphia through his high school basketball days.
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