A very rare piece of Kobe Bryant history is up for auction. A game-worn pair of his Air Jordan 8 player exclusives from the 2002-03 season is now available through The Realest, and bidding closes on November 8th.
Bids on the sneakers have reportedly reached $700,000. The auction also includes a game-worn Kobe jersey from the 2003-04 season, which has passed $787,000.
Kobe wore the shoes on March 21st, 2003, when the Lakers beat the Celtics 104 to 96. He finished that game with 13 points, seven assists, and three rebounds.
Overall, the pair is a perfect example of what made his sneaker free agency so special. White leather covers the upper, with Lakers purple and gold across the straps, tongue, sockliner, and midsole.
The shoes show real game wear and still have their original laces and insoles. MeiGray and SIA also photo-matched them to the game, which is a huge detail for collectors.
Few pairs from this era have ever reached the public. None of Kobe’s Jordan player exclusives were released at retail, which makes this auction even more special.
Read More: Every Air Jordan Dropping In November 2026
Kobe Bryant Air Jordan 8 Sneakers Auction
Kobe’s 2002-03 season is one of the most fascinating chapters in sneaker history. He left adidas that summer and had not yet signed with Nike, so he played the whole year as a sneaker free agent.
During that time, Jordan Brand made Lakers-colored Air Jordans for him, including this Air Jordan 8. He appeared in all 82 games and finished third in MVP voting.
Another pair from this era, the game-worn Air Jordan 3 PE, went to auction in April with an estimate of $500,000 to $700,000.
Kobe signed with Nike in 2003, and the partnership turned into one of the most successful signature lines ever. That makes these free agency shoes feel even more rare.
Overall, this Air Jordan 8 is a great look back at a unique moment in Kobe’s career. Collectors with deep pockets have until November 8th to place a bid.
