Kobe Bryant memorabilia items to go on auction block

LOS ANGELES, USA – Kobe Bryant‘s uniform worn in the 2000 NBA Finals and his handprints from Hollywood’s famous Chinese Theatre are among the personal memorabilia set to be put up for sale in April.

Julien’s Auctions said Thursday, February 27, that the items from Bryant, who was killed last month in a helicopter crash at age 41 along with his daughter Gianna and 7 others, would be included in a sale of more than 300 sports items on April 30.

Bryant was a five-time NBA champion and 18-time NBA All-Star with the Los Angeles Lakers. He retired in 2016 and his jersey numbers, 8 and 24, were retired by the Lakers in 2017. (WATCH: World says goodbye to Kobe Bryant in LA memorial) 

The Lakers number 8 home uniform worn by Bryant in the 2000 NBA Finals, when he captured his first NBA crown by leading the Lakers over the Indiana Pacers, carries an estimated price tag between $10,000 and $20,000. It includes a black armband worn in memory of Lakers legend Wilt Chamberlain.

The 2011 handprints Bryant made at the Chinese Theatre, valued at between $4,000 and $6,000, made him the first athlete to make a cast at the Hollywood movie house in a collection usually reserved for stars of the silver screen.

Bryant’s number 24 home jersey worn in the 2006-2007 NBA season, an autographed pair of black and white shoes worn by Bryant and a basketball signed by the 2009-2010 NBA champion Lakers, including Bryant, is also available.

“We are honored to include this collection of his items and pay tribute to this giant who was an inspiration not only to basketball fans but to the entire world,” said Darren Julien, president of chief executive of Julien’s Auctions.

Other sports items available include a 1984 Los Angeles Olympics silver medal, a replica FIFA World Cup trophy given to Marco Antonio from the 1970 champions Brazil and FIFA World Cup champion’s gold medals from 1994 and 2002. – Rappler.com