KOBE BRYANT’S 2000 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP RING FETCHED $206,000 AT AUCTION

Bryant gifted the ring to his mother to celebrate the NBA title during the 1999-2000 season

One of two Kobe Bryant‘s 2000 NBA Championship rings just sold at Goldin Auction for a massive $206,000 USD (over $314,000 AUD). The piece of the late NBA star went under the hammer and began with a minimum bid of $15,000 USD and went up to the final price after 20 bids.

The NBA ring of the late basketball star, Kobe Bryant, is one of two identical 14K gold and diamond rings which he originally purchased and was given as gifts to his parents, Pamela and Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, in celebration of his first 2000 NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. Even though the ring is not an executive version of the NBA Championship ring, it is the exact version given to Kobe Bryant and his teammates. The auctioned ring was the one issued in a smaller size to fit his mother. It features 40 diamonds and with the Lakers logo in purple, inscribed with the words “World Champions”, “Bling Bling” and “Bryant” surrounding the piece. The other ring that was given to his father is expected to hit the auction block soon and reports say that it could fetch even more than Pamela’s ring.

Have a look at the image gallery of ring below:

Goldin Auctions
Goldin Auctions
Goldin Auctions
Goldin Auctions

Kobe Bryant’s auctioned ring has had a bit of a controversy back in 2013. Kobe’s mom tried to sell the rings, along with a bunch of other Kobe memorabilia. Kobe filed a lawsuit in order to cease the sale but he ultimately agreed to sell a total of six items, including the two rings and two of his basketball uniforms in high school. The Kobe Bryant memorabilia were sold to a private collector who is supposedly a big Lakers fan for $208,000 USD. The identity of the new buyer has also not been disclosed.