Kobe Bryant's father's replica 2000 NBA Championship ring auctioned

An auction hosted by the online platform Goldin has garnered bids as high as $141,000 for a replica of Kobe Bryant's 2000 Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship ring, a heartfelt gift Kobe bestowed upon his father, Joe "Jellybean" Bryant.

Crafted from 14K gold and adorned with 40 dazzling diamonds, this exquisite ring proudly showcases the iconic inscription "LAKERS," "WORLD CHAMPIONS," and "BRYANT," alongside Kobe's revered jersey number, "8," meticulously fashioned in gold. It's worth noting that this ring isn't the original; Kobe had a precise duplicate made specifically for his father, opting to keep the primary ring for himself.

Joe Bryant, now 69, parted ways with the replica ring in 2013, selling it to Goldin for auction. Reports have confirmed that Joe will not financially benefit from the sale.

The year 2000 marked a memorable chapter for both the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant. The Lakers clinched the NBA Championship after a captivating six-game series against the Indiana Pacers. This triumph was just one of Kobe's five NBA titles, all achieved during his remarkable tenure with the Lakers.


Following the 2000 victory, Kobe presented the ring to his parents, who later sold it in 2013 to Goldin, along with two jerseys from his days at Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania.

Yet, the transaction was marred by controversy, prompting the late athlete to file a lawsuit against Goldin, alleging that he had not authorized Joe and Pamela to auction off the items, as reported by ESPN. Subsequently, they reached a settlement, with Bryant's parents expressing remorse in a statement for their involvement in the auction of Kobe Bryant memorabilia.


The relationship between the late superstar and his parents was marked by notable tension. Speculations of strain emerged as early as 2001, when Joe, a former NBA player, and Pamela did not attend their son's wedding to Vanessa Bryant in April of that year.

Despite reports of reconciliation between Kobe and his father, especially after Joe joined the Los Angeles Sparks as a coach in 2005, the 2013 lawsuit only fueled existing rumors. Additionally, Kobe's parents were noticeably absent during his final NBA game in April 2016.

Bidding for the ring is set to conclude on March 30, with the current price reaching $141,000 as of March 22nd.

Source Yahoo News : Replica of Kobe Bryant's 2000 NBA Championship Ring Previously Owned by His Father Up for Auction