Kobe Bryant’s Dad Auctions Off Late NBA Star’s First Championship Ring!

Posted on March 22, 2024 | Published By: Denise | In Shop

Kobe Bryant and his dad Joe Bryant. source: Page Six

Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe, is auctioning the 2000 NBA championship ring the late athlete gifted him.
The ring is 14-karat gold and features a total of 40 diamonds.
It is not the original ring the former Los Angeles Lakers star won during his first championship, but rather a replica he ordered for his dad.

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Why did Kobe Bryant’s dad auction his son’s ring?

Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe Bryant auctions the NBA champion’s 2000 NBA championship ring the late athlete gifted him.

Per Goldin, the 14-karat gold features 40 diamonds, including five larger round diamonds on either side of the face displaying the word ‘LAKERS’ filled with purple enamel.

The special jewelry is in the former Los Angeles Laker’s ring size of 11 ½. It weighs around 59.6 grams and comes with a letter of authorization from Kobe’s mom, Pam Bryant.

But it is not the original ring Kobe won during his first championship. It is a replica the athlete ordered in honor of his dad, 69.

The auction site read,

Kobe Bryant — Kobe and his dad, Joe Bryant. source: Page Six

“Obtained directly from the Bryant family, this ring is a true one-of-a-kind, and we can confirm that it is the only championship ring ever given by Kobe to his father,”

The publication reported that the bid has reached a whopping $141,000. The bidding for the jewelry ends on March 30.

What many don’t know is that before his death, Kobe had a strained relationship with his parents.

Their relationship turned sour when Kobe got engaged to Vanessa Laine, whom he would later marry and have four daughters with.

The five-time NBA champion revealed in 2003 that his parents didn’t support his relationship with Vanessa because she was not black.

Both his parents didn’t attend their wedding in April 2001.

Also, Read Vanessa Bryant Shares Photos from Her and Kobe Bryant’s Daughter Capri’s 4th Birthday Celebrations!

Did Kobe and his parents’ relationship ever get better?

Kobe did his best to mend his relationship with his mom and dad. However, things didn’t go as planned for Kobe as they attempted to auction off a large collection of memorabilia from the NBA star’s career, including his high school uniforms and a pair of Lakers championship rings from 2000 that he gifted them.

The late athlete then sued Joe and Pam, saying that he didn’t permit them to sell the items.

In May 2013, he tweeted,

“When u give Give GIVE and they take Take TAKE at wat point do u draw a line in the sand? #hurtbeyondmeasure #gavemenowarning #love?”

After settling their issues, his parents said in a statement that they “regret our actions and statements related to the Kobe Bryant auction memorabilia.”

They added,

“We apologize for any misunderstanding and unintended pain we have caused our son and appreciate the financial support he has provided over the years,”

The Oscar winner tragically lost his life alongside his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others when their helicopter crashed into a hillside northwest of Los Angeles in January 2020. He was 41.

Kobe left behind daughters Natalia, 21, Bianka, 7, and Capri, 4, whom he shared with wife Vanessa.

Before his death, Kobe reportedly tried to mend things with his parents and he was reportedly seen hugging his dad once.

Also, Read Few Things You Did Not Know About Kobe Bryant’s Wife Vanessa Bryant; Also Know How Did They Meet And Marriage!

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