NBA/Brian Rookie Year Combat Jersey Auction Expected To Break Record Of 5 Million Yuan

The jersey worn by the late NBA star Kobe Bryant for two playoff games during his rookie year is up for auction and is expected to fetch as much as $5 million.

David Kohler of SCP Auctions said today that bidding for the jersey, worn by Blaine during the 1996-97 season, will begin online May 18 and is expected to fetch between $3 million and $5 million, the Associated Press reported. "We think there's an opportunity to refurbish the basketball jersey auction record," he said.

Kohler said the unidentified seller had owned the Blaine jersey for 25 years before deciding to part ways.

The seller came to Kohler after another Bryan rookie jersey was sold for 3.69 million yuan last year. The autographed yellow jersey worn by Brian during the game is currently the most expensive jersey ever sold at auction.

Also last year, a player card from Brian's rookie year sold for $1.8 million.

The jersey, No. 8, was worn by Bryan on April 13, 1997, against the Utah Jazz and April 17, 1997, against the Sacramento Kings at the Los Angeles Lakers' old arena.

Bryan wore the same jersey on May 8 and 10 against the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference playoffs at the Lakers' home court. Bryan scored 19 points in the Lakers' victory on the 8th, and only nine points in the 10th.

It was Bryan's rookie year, and the Lakers made the playoffs that season but lost 1-4 to the Jazz.

Kohler said the jersey had been certified as genuine by independent examiners who compared it with photographs and examined some special features. The jersey is also the same one Blaine wore on his 1997 player card, with a special logo for the NBA celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Even two years after his death, Brian memorabilia is "still very popular" on the market, Kohler noted.

"If it's the real thing," Kohler said. "People really love him."

On January 6, 2020, Bryan's helicopter crashed in California, killing him, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven other people on board.

The auction closes on June 4.