A number of items tied to former Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant are being auctioned off in one of the largest collections of Kobe memorabilia ever, per Goldin Auctions.
The proceeds from the auction will benefit the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which was started by Bryant's wife, Vanessa, after Kobe and his daughter, Gianna, as well as seven others died in a helicopter crash in January (via Dave McMenamin of ESPN):
The online auction, which ends May 16, features 86 items including sneakers, warm-ups, jerseys and a 14-karat gold ring with eight diamonds engraved with Bryant's name to represent Team USA's 8-0 record in the 2012 Olympics en route to the gold medal.
“There's something for everyone,” Goldin said. “We expect the price points in here to go from as low as $500 to potentially over $100,000.”
The highest bid on any item currently is $28,000 for the black Adidas signature sneakers Bryant wore in the clinching Game 5 of the 2001 Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers. The lowest current bid is $125 for a basketball signed by Bryant.
The auction has no association with Kobe's parents–Pam and Joe–or Vanessa, according to Goldin Auctions founder Ken Goldin.
Kobe memorabilia has found a new wave of prominence in the months following his tragic death. The towel he wore during his postgame speech after his final NBA game was sold for over $30,000 at the end of March, with the buyer intending to create a collection of Kobe items.
While there are over 100 items up for auction, the most important facet will be the contributions made tot he Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which will look to carry on Kobe's legacy of empowering young girls and athletes everywhere.
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