The locker used by Kobe Bryant for most of his legendary NBA career was sold for $2.9 million on Friday in New York as part of a Sotheby’s auction of rare sports memorabilia.
The Staples Center locker, which Bryant used while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, nearly doubled its estimated value of $1.5 million.
Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star guard, tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2020 at the age of 41. He spent his entire NBA career with the Lakers from 1996 to 2016.
A maintenance worker rescued the locker from being discarded during renovations of the Staples Center in 2018, according to Sotheby’s. It was later acquired by an American collector.
“Today’s sale underscores both Kobe’s enduring legacy and the extraordinary nature of this unique item,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, referencing the price achieved after 19 bids.
The Sotheby’s auction also featured memorabilia from sports icons such as Michael Jordan and Reggie Jackson, along with items from contemporary stars like Rafael Nadal and Stephen Curry.
