When the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship in 2000, Kobe Bryant ordered an extra copy of his championship ring for his father. Twenty-four years later, it’s up for auction.
On March 30, the ring will be sold through Goldin Auction. Bidding for the coveted jewelry began on March 15 at $54,000. At press time, bids for the ring were at $94,000 and counting. Bryant’s family is selling the ring. Bryant gifted the ring to his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant who played in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers for eight years.
In 2000 the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Finals in six games over the Indiana Pacers. During the season, the team went 67-15, with Bryant averaging 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists. At the final game, Bryant’s father watched from the stands as he supported the team in winning the championship.
Bryant died in 2020 in a helicopter crash with his daughter, Gianna, and seven other passengers. Bryant’s estate is currently worth $600 million as a result of his NBA salary, endorsements, and equity stake in Body Armour. Known as the Black Mamba, Bryant entered the NBA in 1996 and became the youngest player in NBA history. Bryant played as a shooting guard with the Los Angeles Lakers for 19 years, retiring after the 2015-2016 season. During his career, Bryant was an 18-time NBA All-Star who won five NBA championships and was named NBA Finals MVP twice.
Bid On The Ring
While the ring being auctioned is not the official version that Bryant received when he won his first championship, it is the same ring, Goldin officials said.
The size 11.5 ring is 14-karat gold and weighs 59.6 grams. Set with 40 diamonds, the word “Lakers” is written in purple enamel and sits on the center of the ring while “World Champions” is positioned at the top and bottom of the ring. Bryant’s name is engraved on one side, and the other side is marked by “67-15” and “15-8,” representing the Lakers’ regular-season and playoffs records, respectively, that season.
This is not the first time Bryant’s parents have sold memorabilia of the late ball player. Four years ago his mother sold her copy of the championship ring along with other memorabilia to a private collector for $280,000. The collector ultimately sold the ring through Goldin Auction for $206,000.
