Kobe Bryant's Rookie Lakers Jersey Could Sell for $3-5M at Auction; May Set Record

A Los Angeles Lakers jersey worn by Kobe Bryant during his rookie season could set a record at auction this month.

The auction will begin May 18 and is expected to fetch between $3 and $5 million, David Kohler of SCP Auctions predicted, per Associated Press (via WNYT).

"We feel this could bring a record for any basketball jersey," Kohler said.

The current record is also held by a Bryant rookie jersey, which sold for $3.69 million last May. Although that one was autographed by the Hall of Famer, the latest auction features a jersey that was worn in at least two playoff games during the 1996-97 season.

The seller reportedly held the jersey for 25 years but is now ready to part with the piece of memorabilia after seeing the soaring prices for Black Mamba collectables. A Bryant trading card also sold for $1.8 million last year.

It means Kobe fans will have to pay up for authentic merchandise of the superstar.