Adidas Kobe sneakers from his starting debut sell for $240K

A pair of Adidas EQT Top 10 sneakers, autographed and worn by Kobe Bryant in his first game as a starter with the Los Angeles Lakers, reached the impressive figure of $240,000 (including the buyer’s premium) at an SCP Auctions auction. This amount represents the second-highest sum ever paid for a pair of sneakers from the legendary player.

The photo verification company Sports Investors Authentication confirmed that the sneakers were worn by Kobe Bryant on January 28, 1997, in his first NBA game as a starter. Both sneakers are signed and the autographs include authentication letters from PSA/DNA, the authentication branch of Professional Sports Authenticator.

Before his first game as a starter with the Lakers, Bryant participated in 34 games, averaging 6.4 points in 13 minutes per game. In his debut as a starter, Bryant scored 12 points on 5 of 11 field goals, as well as 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block in the 102-83 victory against the Dallas Mavericks. In February, the Nike Kobe 8 Elite “Lakers Home” sneakers that Bryant wore when he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2013 sold for $660,000 at Sotheby’s.