It was announced today by GoldinAuctions.com that they are working with the Kobe Bryant family to auction off much of Kobe Bryant’s high school memorabilia in June 2013. The collection contains awards and gear from Kobe’s time in Italy as a child, his high school days at Lower Merion High in Pennsylvania, and even some from his early days in the NBA.
“It is gratifying to once again work with the Bryant family to bring this spectacular collection to auction,” said Ken Goldin, Founder of Goldin Auctions. “I had the pleasure of working with Kobe and his family in 1996 when he was making the leap from high school to the NBA and I signed him to his very first autograph and trading card deal.
Given all the hype that surrounded Kobe coming out of high school and going straight to the NBA, I’m pretty sure that the last time Goldin Auctions worked with the Bryant family in ’96, they both made a pretty penny. But in case you hadn’t noticed Kobe has become “kind of a big deal” during the past 17 years. And by ‘big deal’ I mean one of the greatest players of all-time. My guess is this latest auction by the Bryant family will net them hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars.
Who wouldn’t want to box frame Kobe’s one of a kind freshman high school jersey (and kicker is he wore #24 that year):
The centerpiece of the Kobe Bryant Collection: presented by Goldin Auctions is his road maroon Lower Merion High School (LMHS) basketball uniform (shorts and jersey) from his freshmen year. This uniform is special in that Bryant only wore #24, as a freshman, before switching to #33 for the remainder of his high school career. It is believed to be the only authentic game worn #24 Kobe Bryant LMHS jersey in existence. The next time Kobe wore a #24 jersey was when he switched his NBA number to it after the 2005-06 NBA season. When he finally removes #24 from his back, it will hang in the rafters alongside, Wilt, Kareem, Magic and Shaq.
This is obviously great news for collectors and hobbyists with deep pockets. But the bigger question this raises is, ‘Why do Kobe’s parents need the money?’. In case you hadn’t noticed, when you count endorsements, your son is the highest paid professional athlete (Forbes). If you are a bit short on your car payment, can’t you just ask your son for a loan? He’s probably good for it…
(h/t to Goldin Auctions News)
