In 2000, Kobe Bryant celebrated his first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Fast forward to today, four years after Kobe’s passing, his father, Joe Bryant, is putting up Kobe’s first championship ring for auction. But here’s the twist! The 14-karat gold ring, decked with 40 diamonds, isn’t the official player’s ring. It’s a replica Kobe ordered as a heartfelt gift for his dad. Sized 11.5 and weighing close to 60 grams, the ring comes with a letter of authenticity from Kobe’s mom, Pam Bryant.
Billed as a “true one-of-a-kind” keepsake from the Bryant family, bidding for the ring kicked off at $30,000. By Friday afternoon, the offers had skyrocketed to $141,000, with the auction set to wrap up on March 30.
Kobe Bryant’s legacy extends far beyond the NBA court. He had a two-decade career with the Lakers from 1996 to 2016. Bagging five NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, and the regular-season MVP title in 2008, Kobe’s impact is deep-seated. Bryant was also honored as an 18-time NBA All-Star and a fixture on the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams. In 2021, he was honored with posthumous induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
However, tragedy struck on January 26, 2020. Kobe, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, lost their lives in a heartbreaking helicopter crash.
On February 8, 2024, a touching tribute took place at the Crypto.com Arena. A statue of Kobe Bryant was unveiled to permanently commemorate Kobe Bryant’s impact on the NBA. February 8 was deliberately chosen to represent his jersey numbers: 2, 8, and 24.
