2020 Late December Auction Closing January 3
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/3/2021
During the 2002-03 NBA season, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was a sneaker free agent. This led to the former Lower Merion High School prep star wearing whatever shoe he so chose, including a selection of incredibly rare Jordan Brand sneakers. Offered in this lot is a pair of Air Jordan VIII sneakers in the black and chrome colorway worn by Bryant in 2002-03. With the forthcoming release of Bryant’s personal sneaker line, the Air Jordan VIII sneakers in this lot are an incredibly rare piece of Bryant’s career and evolution as a basketball superstar. Bryant experienced one of the best seasons of his career in 2002-03, averaging a then-career high 30.0 points to go with 6.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game as the Lakers won 50 games and advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals. The peerless Bryant averaged 25.0 points per game across his 20-season NBA career, winning five NBA titles and the 2007-08 NBA Most Valuable Player trophy. In 2020, the second-generation NBA star was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Air Jordan VIII sneakers offered in this lot are high-tops, with the Jumpman logo sewn on both tongues. A “23” is embroidered on each lace guard in white and silver. The shoes are a size 14. Please note that Bryant’s signature on the toe of the left shoe has been deemed a secretarial version of “The Black Mamba’s” signature. These incredibly rare sneakers come with a LOA from MEARS (317249) for game use by Bryant!
The Kobe Bryant signature has been deemed secretarial.