Kobe Bryant's Lakers locker goes on auction for estimated $1.5MILLION after almost being THROWN OUT in 2008 - one week after his dad's death

The locker utilized by Kobe Bryant during nan mostly of his Lakers profession has gone connected auction, pinch nan portion of history being fixed an estimate betwixt $1million and $1.5million.

Bryant, who passed distant successful a 2020 chopper crash, is known to person utilized nan locker astatine nan Staples Center from nan 2003-04 play to nan 2015-16 play - his last twelvemonth successful nan NBA.

And now, Sotheby's is auctioning disconnected nan point aft it was acquired by an unnamed American collector successful a backstage transaction.

The point had antecedently been successful retention for 'years,' nan institution said, aft being discovered while nan Staples Center was being renovated successful 2018.

Sotheby's says nan locker - on pinch nan remainder of what remained successful nan locker room - would person been thrown retired if not for a 'vigilant' attraction worker.

'Kobe Bryant's locker astatine nan Staples Center is much than conscionable a portion of memorabilia; it's a ineffable relic of his unparalleled journey,' Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s caput of modern collectables, said successful a property release.

'This locker was Kobe's sanctuary amidst triumphs and challenges, a witnesser to nan highs and lows of a storied career. Every accomplishment and hardship near its people wrong these walls. Its quality now astatine auction symbolizes a uncommon opportunity to ain a unsocial portion of Kobe's legacy.'

The locker is made of wood and has Bryant's past sanction successful nan precocious right-hand corner.

Of course, Bryant is considered a Lakers and NBA legend, aft a profession pinch 5 championships, a ridiculous 15 All-NBA selections and 1 MVP win.

There were besides countless item moments that he produced successful nan Staples Center (now known arsenic Crypto.com Arena), including his unthinkable 81-point crippled successful 2006, and his storybook 60-point capacity successful his last game.

A information of nan proceeds from nan waste of nan locker will spell to nan Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation. 

Bidding for nan point is unfastened done July 31. It opened Monday, conscionable nether a week aft Bryant's begetter passed away. 

Joe Bryant tragically died astatine nan property of 69 past week. Joe, a 6ft 10in forward, enjoyed a lengthy playing profession which included spells pinch nan 76ers, Clippers and Rockets.

His passing comes 4 and a half years aft his boy - past only 41 - and his granddaughter Gianna, 13, were among those killed successful a chopper crash.

However, according to nan Philadelphia Inquirer, Joe's narration pinch boy Kobe became strained arsenic nan Lakers fable built a Hall of Fame profession successful nan NBA. 

He ne'er said publically astir his son's decease and earlier this year, nan 2000 NBA title ringing talented to 'Jellybean' by Kobe sold for $927,000 astatine auction.