I n a purple-lit Staples Center, sporting a bright yellow Lakers bomber, Kobe lifted his head out of his hands as his teammates' name was called by the announcer. It was the final game of Kobe Bryant’s career, and Kobe was emotional. When Kobe’s name was finally called, the ground shook with cheers from his home crowd. In the huddle, with the camera looking directly into Kobe’s face – his expression bordered on rage. He was not going quietly into the night.
Just like Kobe had done time and time again, he performed at the highest level he was capable of. 60 points. It was a final and raw expression of Kobe’s ‘Mamba Mentality’, trying to be better every day at your craft. To the very last moment of his legendary career – Kobe was living his mantra.
Returning to the locker room for the final time, as his teammates showered him in champagne, and standing in front of this locker, Kobe popped open a bottle of Dom Perignon and let it flow straight into his mouth. He had done it. 5 Championships (one more than Shaq was what really made him happy), 2 Finals MVP Awards, the 2008 Most Valuable Player, 18 All-Star Game appearances, 4 All-Star MVP awards, and 2 Olympic Gold Medals, were just some of his accomplishments. He celebrated it all here, at his locker.
Among the many items to come to market from Kobe Bryant’s career, perhaps there none are more intimate than this locker, which Kobe Bryant used for the majority of his career, with the earliest photo documentation beginning in 2004 and ending in 2016. This locker was Kobe’s home at the Staples Center, and is an astounding museum-quality artifact from the Los Angeles Lakers legend. It witnessed everything, from the champagne championship celebration following Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals, to Kobe hanging his final jersey in 2016.
The locker was discarded following the renovation of the Staples Center in 2018, and an individual involved with the project had the foresight to keep and store it. It was later obtained by a Private American Collector, and has been in the same collection since. The locker has been photo-matched by MeiGray to a stunning amount of time, spanning from the 2003-2004 NBA season, all the way until the 2015-2016 NBA season.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale will directly benefit the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation.
The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting the youth through education, sports, and community outreach and the official team charity of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Foundation’s mission is to help underserved youth develop their potential by providing positive experiences and resources in education, health and wellness, and sports. The Foundation also awards grants to other charities that support youth through direct services and programs in these areas.
The Lakers Youth Foundation funds STEM Lab Projects, Reading and Learning Centers, basketball court construction and renovation projects throughout Los Angeles County and in Hawaii, and other initiatives and projects. In addition, Lakers have also contributed millions of dollars to worthy charitable causes and organizations, including through ticket donations, autographed memorabilia, Lakers merchandise, and countless appearances made by current players, Lakers Legends and the Laker Girls.
*No portion of the purchase price is tax-deductible.
