Kobe Bryant-Signed No. 8 Hardwood from Final Game Listed in NBA Auctions

No. 8 or No. 24? Countless debate has been waged over which of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant's jersey numbers should be hung in the rafters of the Staples Center.

But before either (or both) will be officially immortalized, one digit can reign eternal in the possession of one fortunate (and fortune-owning) fan—the infinite No. 8, signed and sanctified. 

From now until May 15, NBA Auctions will be fielding bids for the four-panel, 20-by-8-foot portion of the hardwood used in the Black Mamba's final outing—an electrifying 60-point effort that elevated the Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-96 victory over the Utah Jazz. 

Update from Wednesday, May 18

According to ESPN's Darren Rovell, the No. 8 floor piece has sold for a whopping $179,100. It would be fun to know what the the buyer is planning to do with the floor panels, but he or she has chosen to remain anonymous. 

--End of Update--

Considering Bryant's 2016 All-Star Game jersey shattered previous NBA Auctions records with a price tag of $100,040, it likely won't come as a surprise if this literal piece of sports history, too, breaches six figures.

But the gaudy sum will benefit more than a memorabilia collection.

The sale's proceeds will go to the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation, so potential buyers need not feel guilty about approaching this purchase with a Mamba Mentality.

After all, in the quest to acquire athletically hallowed ground, is any other approach even possible?

[NBA Auctions, h/t Los Angeles Lakers]