NBA: Bryant’s game-worn face mask being auctioned off for charity

Photo from Goldin Auction’s website

NBA players’ memorabilia have been hot commodities as of late and this latest piece up for grabs might just be the most valuable of them all.

A transparent protective face mask used by five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant is being sold by Goldin Auctions to raise funds for charity.

The facial gear, which Bryant wore for four games in the 2012 season, is currently valued at a starting bid of  $15,000 (P729,667) and is expected to go as high as $50,000, (P2,432,225) according to BBC News.

On its website, the auction house described the mask as “a Hall of Fame worthy piece that every NBA fan would be shocked to see in person.”

The recently retired Bryant had to don the protective gear after suffering a nasal fracture in the 2012 NBA All Star game, courtesy of a hard foul from Dwayne Wade.

He used a black one and a clear one in the ensuing games of the regular season, earning him the nickname “Masked Mamba.”

Bryant previously auctioned a different mask he wore in 2012, which secured $67,000 (P3,260,253) for the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation.

Bryant’s souvenirs have been auctioned for hefty price tags over the course of his 20-year career, with an autographed hardwood from his final game being sold at $180,000 (P8,759,610)

Several notable items from NBA superstars have been sold for lucrative prices in recent months, like the LeBron James autographed rookie card which was sold for $300,000.

Reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry’s supposed mouthpiece also fetched $3,000 in August.  Khristian Ibarrola

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