Kobe Bryant Game Worn and Signed Kobe VII Sneakers | Kobe Scores 30,000 Points | Youngest At Time to Record 30,000 Points

On December 5, 2012, Kobe Bryant solidified his legacy as one of basketball’s greatest scorers, becoming the youngest player (at the time) in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points. At 34 years and 104 days old, Kobe accomplished the feat, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain’s previous record of 35 years, 179 days. 

Bryant joined an elite group of NBA legends—Chamberlain (31,419), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), and Michael Jordan (32,292)—as one of only five players to reach this milestone. 

Since then, Dirk Nowitzki, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant have also surpassed 30,000 points. Bryant remains the second-youngest player to achieve this feat, trailing only LeBron James.

December 5th, 2012

Bryant and the Lakers would enter their matchup with the Hornets on December 5th, 2012 on the second night of a back-to-back road trip. The previous night, Bryant put up 39 points against the Rockets in a 107-105 loss, leaving him just 13 points shy from the 30,000 mark. 

The moment would come with just over a minute to play in the 2nd quarter of the game. Receiving the ball on the wing, Kobe sliced through the defense before converting on a right-handed runner in the lane. The 2-point basket put him at 30,001 points all-time, cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats.  

Kobe finished the night with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in the Lakers’ 103-87 win over the New Orleans Hornets. 

Originally drafted by the Hornets in 1996 and traded to the Lakers on draft night, achieving the milestone against the Hornets carried extra significance for Bryant. 

"The irony," Bryant said. "It's funny how sports always seems to kind of have that connectivity in some shape, form, or fashion. It just kind of always seems to come full circle."

The pair has been photomatched by MeiGray and is signed and inscribed by Bryant. The left shoe is inscribed “30K 12-5-12.” The right shoe features Bryant's signature. Both the signature and inscription are certified by Panini. 

The lot is accompanied by a Full Game Ticket graded PSA 9 MINT, a program from the game, and a DVD of the 12/5/12 game between the Lakers and the Hornets.

The Provenance

Sotheby’s obtained the below letter of provenance from the consignor, detailing how the sneakers were acquired. 

Kobe and I had a mutual friend. This person is still a very close friend of mine. Knowing that I was one of the biggest Kobe fans and Kobe game-worn collectors to ever exist, my friend invited me to join him in New Orleans to watch the Lakers play the Hornets (12/5/12), a game for which it was certain that Kobe would become the youngest player in NBA history to reach the rare-air milestone of 30,000 points (only four players had ever reached such a mark - Kareem, Karl Malone, Jordan, and Wilt). Of course, I jumped at the chance and flew to New Orleans to join my friend for the game. I wanted to witness one of the most legendary NBA players make history and join the most elite players to have ever played! We attended and had a blast at the game. The Lakers beat the Hornets and the fans erupted when Kobe hit the shot to reach the 30,000-point milestone.

 At the end of the game, Kobe invited us to come to see him at the locker room. Although I would go on to see Kobe several times over the years, I had never before met him and was bursting with excitement. We talked and laughed with Kobe for a while in the tunnel outside the locker room. It felt like three basketball fans hanging out and talking hoops. As we talked, Kobe was being congratulated by everyone passing through the tunnel for joining the 30,000-point club. Over the years, I saw and talked with Kobe several more times, which was always a thrill. My final time talking with him was right before his last NBA All-Star Game in 2016 in Toronto. Each time I saw Kobe, he was incredibly nice and friendly.

 Back to the 30K Point Game – since I am a longtime Kobe fan and passionate collector, my friend knew I had a serious interest in obtaining Kobe's game-worn items from this historic game. Upon request of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Kobe obliged and gave the Museum his jersey from the 30K Point game. Much to my great fortune, and with tremendous gratitude to our mutual friend for arranging it, I was able to obtain Kobe's shoes from the iconic 30K moment. This is the only pair Kobe wore in the game and of course, worn by Kobe when he hit the historic 30K shot. Kobe also signed and inscribed ("30K" and "12-5-12") the pair to perfection.

 It was the most special of nights. Special because it was a terrific night of spending time with my friend, special because I was able to witness history with Kobe becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 30,000 point plateau, and special because I was able to privately meet and spend time with Kobe after the game. 

Of course, the cherry on top was being able to obtain this iconic pair of shoes, a true Holy Grail for any Kobe or Lakers collector. I have enjoyed this pair immensely in my private collection for the last twelve years, and now, in Nike’s year of the Black Mamba, 2025, I have decided to make it available to another top collector.