Kobe Bryant's First Lakers No. 24 Jersey Sold for Nearly $900K
Kobe Bryant’s debut No. 24 Lakers jersey fetched $889,000 at auction, underscoring its legendary status and cultural resonance in NBA memorabilia circles.
A piece of NBA history was sealed when Kobe Bryant’s first-ever, game-worn No. 24 Los Angeles Lakers jersey sold for an eye-popping $889,000 at Sotheby’s “Legend of Sport” auction.
Originally purchased for just $10,875 after its introduction in 2006, the jersey’s value soared nearly eightyfold, reflecting both Bryant's mythic stature and the growing market for prized sports artifacts.
Bryant’s jersey switch held personal meaning: he began his Lakers journey in No. 8, but moved to No. 24, his high school number, after it became available following George McCloud’s departure. That night on November 3, 2006, Bryant wore No. 24 for the first time, notching 23 points in a victory over the Seattle SuperSonics, thus officially opening a bold new chapter in Lakers lore.
The Cultural and Financial Impact
The significance of Bryant’s No. 24 jersey stems from more than a numerical change. It marked the chapter in which Kobe delivered two NBA championships and earned back-to-back Finals MVP honors in 2009 and 2010, driving the Lakers to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances.
Signed and inscribed to commemorate its debut, the jersey has become a “symbolic artifact,” according to auctioneers, embodying Bryant’s relentless pursuit of greatness and adaptability that endeared him to millions.
After his retirement in 2016, the Lakers honored Bryant by retiring both his No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys, cementing the unique legacy he carved with each number. The staggering resale profit signals more than high demand—it reflects deep admiration and nostalgia that fans and collectors feel for Bryant’s enduring impact on the sport.
The Lasting Legacy of Kobe Memorabilia
This sale further cements Bryant as a central figure in the world of sports memorabilia. The exponential rise in the jersey’s value highlights a broader trend: artifacts tied to basketball’s biggest moments are now seen as historic treasures, investments that transcend the game itself.
For collectors, Bryant’s legacy lives on not only through highlight reels and championship banners but also in tangible pieces of history that encapsulate the spirit of an icon who changed what it meant to be a Laker, and a legend.
