Kobe Bean Bryant grew up idolizing his father, Joe Bryant, a 1st round draft pick out of La Salle University who played his first four NBA seasons for his hometown Philadelphia 76ers. “Jellybean” – his nickname since high school for being a slithery a 6’ 9” forward with a plethora of moves – had a solid eight-year career in the NBA (1975-83) averaging nearly nine point per game. To keep his basketball career going as long as he could, the elder Bryant moved his family overseas and continued to play in Europe for another eight seasons (1983-91). No wonder Kobe – born in Philly to a 76er and raised primarily in Italy on the trail of his dad’s pro career – became so obsessed with the game at such a young age.
Fast forward to Kobe’s fourth season in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and five assists to earn his second All-Star nod, establishing a one-two punch with Shaquille O’Neal that was virtually unstoppable. Under the tutelage of head coach Phil Jackson, the 1999-2000 Lakers went 67-15 and completed a torrid run through the playoffs to win their first NBA title since the Showtime era. The Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers four games to two in the Finals, serving opposing coach Larry Bird sweet revenge. Shaq finished off his only league MVP season with his first of three straight Finals MVPs, putting up a gargantuan 38 points and 16 boards per game in the series.
Presented here is the 2000 L.A. Lakers World Champions 14-karat gold ring gifted by Kobe to his father Joe “Jellybean” Bryant. Winning his first NBA Championship was certainly a proud moment for Kobe and the Bryant family. Therefore, Kobe had the Lakers make a second ring for his father. It is the same version made for Kobe Bryant with the exact same specs for players.
Made in Kobe's ring size of 11.5, this gorgeous piece of jewelry weighs 60 grams and holds a total of 40 diamonds, including five larger round-cut diamonds on each side of the face. A Lakers logo with purple enamel is centered within the face flanked by “WORLD” on top and CHAMPIONS” on the bottom in raised relief. The NBA logo with Jerry West’s famous silhouette centers the left shank, with “BRYANT” at the top and his early career uniform number “8” at the bottom. Also appearing are banners revealing the Lakers 67-15 regular season mark as well as their postseason record of 15-8. The right shank has a basketball hoop image with the largest round-cut diamond serving as the ball, flanked by with the words “BLING BLING” and “2000” in raised relief. The inner band is hallmarked “14K” by the maker. Overall, the ring exhibits moderate wear but has no condition issues to speak of and displays wonderfully. We even had it professionally cleaned with our local Swiss jeweler.
This very ring sold for $173,000 in 2013 and was part of an ensuing lawsuit between Kobe and his mother, Pamela. The case was eventually settled on the condition that she could only sell this ring and five other items (https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9360162/kobe-bryant-memorabilia-lawsuit-settled-parents-apologize). Pamela Bryant’s 2000 ring (size 8.5) sold in 2020 for over $200,000. To this day, Joe’s 2000 ring is just the second championship ring/award of Kobe’s to ever come up for auction. Initially obtained directly from the Bryant family, this is the only Championship ring from any season given by Kobe to his father. It comes with a letter of provenance from Pam Bryant.