Kobe Bryant’s Iconic First No 24 Lakers Jersey Fetches $889K at Auction

Kobe Bryant’s Iconic No. 24 Jersey Sells for Nearly $900,000

The legendary No. 24 jersey worn by NBA superstar Kobe Bryant during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers has recently been sold for a staggering $889,000, including the buyer’s premium, at a Sotheby’s auction. This significant piece of basketball history highlights the lasting impact of Bryant’s legacy on the sport and his dedicated fan base.

Kobe Bryant’s Historic Jersey Fetches Impressive Price

Kobe Bryant donned the iconic No. 24 jersey on November 3, 2006, when he scored 23 points, leading the Lakers to a 118-112 victory over the Seattle Supersonics. The 2006-07 season was remarkable for Bryant as he scored 50 points or more in ten games, earning his second and final league scoring title.

• This jersey, the first Bryant wore with the number 24, was adorned with his signature and the inscriptions “FIRST 24” and “1/1.”
• It features an Upper Deck hologram, thanks to Bryant’s autograph and memorabilia agreement with the company.
• MeiGray Authenticated has photo-matched the jersey to the Lakers’ 2006 media day.

Though this sale is noteworthy, it doesn’t surpass the record $7 million spent on another Bryant jersey, from his rookie season, sold by Sotheby’s earlier in April.

Jerry West’s Auction Article Also Draws Attention

Not just Bryant’s memorabilia garnered attention at the auction. A jersey worn by another Lakers legend, Jerry West, sold for $533,400. This jersey has a rich history, having been worn during significant games, including Game 6 of the 1965 and 1966 Western Division Finals and Game 2 of the 1966 NBA Finals, as verified by Sports Investors Authentication (SIA).

SIA confirmed that:

• The jersey was likely worn during both the 1965 and 1966 NBA Finals series against the Boston Celtics.
• West averaged 33.8 and 33.9 points per game during those series.
• The sale included additional game-worn items such as a warm-up jacket, shorts, and socks.

The jersey, part of a private collection since Frank O’Neill, a former Lakers trainer, received it in 1967, adds to West’s strong market presence. In May, a West jersey from the 1969-70 Lakers season set a record for any West memorabilia at $868,000.

Wayne Gretzky’s NHL Jersey Remains Unsold

In contrast to the Lakers memorabilia, the auction predicted a high selling price for Wayne Gretzky’s New York Rangers jersey from his final NHL game on April 18, 1999. However, the jersey did not meet the auction’s reserve price and went unsold.

The Sotheby’s auction of these iconic sports items at Emegypt not only highlights the allure of basketball legends like Kobe Bryant and Jerry West but also showcases the vibrant market for historic sports memorabilia.