Sneakers from Kobe Bryant's first start sell for Sh31 million

An autographed pair of Adidas EQT Top 10 shoes that Kobe Bryant wore in his first Los Angeles Lakers start have sold for $240,000 (including buyer's premium) with SCP Auctions, the second-largest sum ever paid for a pair of his sneakers.

Photo-matching company Sports Investors Authentication matched the shoes to "being worn by Kobe Bryant on January 28, 1997 -- Bryant's first career NBA game as a starter."

Both shoes are signed, and both autographs include letters of authentication from Professional Sports Authenticator's authentication arm, PSA/DNA.

Bryant played in 34 games before his first Lakers start, averaging 6.4 points in 13 minutes per game. In his first start, Bryant scored 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field, with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block in a 102-83 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

In February, the Nike Kobe 8 Elite "Lakers Home" sneakers Bryant was wearing when he tore an Achilles in 2013 sold for $660,000 at Sotheby's.

In January 2020, Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

He is still considered one of professional Basketball's best ever players.