October 30, 2026
Record-Breaking Auction Milestone: Kobe Bryant’s game-worn Lower Merion High School #33 jersey officially sold for $2.2 million at Sotheby’s, establishing a new all-time high for any high school basketball jersey sold at auction.
Toppling the King’s Record: The sale eclipses the previous benchmark set in 2024, when LeBron James’ 2002 St.Vincent-St. Mary Sports Illustrated “The Chosen One” jersey commanded $1.3 million.
Fierce Bidding Duel: Finalizing on October 28, the auction accumulated 26 competitive bids across seven elite collectors, blowing past the initial presale estimate of more than $1 million.
Massive Asset Appreciation: Photo-matched to Bryant’s junior season during a March 1995 matchup against Hazleton Area, the exact uniform last changed hands for $51,400 in 2013, representing a remarkable 4,100% surge in value.
It all started at Lower Merion High School. Who would have ever thought that #33 would go on to become #8 and #24 and, in the process, one of the greatest athletes of all time? You want to know who believed that? #33. Of course, we’re talking about Kobe Bean Bryant, who is somehow managing to still set records posthumously (that shouldn’t be a surprise, though).
Sotheby’s has officially confirmed that Bryant’s game-worn Lower Merion jersey sold for $2.2 million, setting a record for any high school basketball jersey ever sold at auction.
RELATED: Nike and LeBron James Get Spooky With the New LeBron 24 “Storm Drain”
A Fierce 26-Bid Battle at Sotheby’s
The landmark sale concluded on October 28 following an intense bidding battle that pushed the piece far past its initial presale expectations:
Seven Competing Collectors: The auction generated 26 aggressive bids across seven elite collectors, instantly blowing past the initial presale estimate in excess of $1 million USD.
Toppling the Previous High: At $2.2 million USD, the sale eclipses the prior high-water mark set in 2024, when LeBron James’ St. Vincent-St. Mary jersey from his iconic 2002 Sports Illustrated “The Chosen One” cover sold for $1.3 million USD.
Explosive Memorabilia Growth: The milestone captures the meteoric rise of elite sports artifacts—this exact same Kobe uniform commanded $51,400 USD when it last crossed the auction block in 2013, representing an astounding 4,100% appreciation in just over a decade.
The Anatomy of a High School Legend
The uniform is photomatched specifically to Bryant’s junior season during a March 1995 matchup against Hazleton Area High School. Representing a pivotal developmental phase in his early career, the game took place just one year before he led Lower Merion to the Pennsylvania Class AAAA state championship in 1996 and made the historic jump directly to the NBA.
At $2.2 million, sports history collectors have officially crowned #33 as legendary as the numbers that followed. But, considering their friendship (Bryant’s last tweet was a congratulatory message to James), I’m sure James doesn’t mind handing the crown over.
Featured Photo: Sotheby’s
RELATED: Sony Brings ’90s Translucent Tech to the PS5 With New “Prism Collection”
Related