Summary

  • JOOPITER is currently accepting bids on an ultra-rare, game-worn pair of Kobe Bryant Air Jordan 3 Player Exclusives
  • The sneakers were famously worn by Bryant during his “Sneaker Free Agency” season in 2003, notably when he scored 52 points and dunked on Yao Ming against the Houston Rockets
  • Both size 14 shoes are autographed by the late Lakers legend in black permanent marker alongside his iconic number 8

Collectors have an unprecedented opportunity to own a monumental piece of NBA and sneaker history. JOOPITER is currently offering an immaculate pair of Kobe Bryant Game-Worn and Dual-Signed Air Jordan 3 Player Exclusives. Stemming from Bryant’s fabled 2002-2003 “Sneaker Free Agency” era—the legendary, short-lived window between his adidas departure and his historic, long-term Nike signing—this Lakers-themed PE is widely considered the absolute pinnacle of Kobe Bryant sneaker collecting.

Boasting a white tumbled leather upper, classic elephant print overlays, and vibrant Lakers purple and gold accents, this size 14 sample is accompanied by unparalleled provenance. The pair has been conclusively photo-matched by MeiGray to two unforgettable Staples Center performances. Kobe debuted this exact pair on February 14, 2003, dropping 44 points against the San Antonio Spurs. Four nights later, he wore them again during a 52-point double-overtime victory against the Houston Rockets, a game forever immortalized by Bryant’s thunderous baseline dunk over the 7’6″ rookie Yao Ming.

Adding to their sheer magnitude, both sneakers are signed by Bryant on the heel. Safely preserved by a private collector in a dark, climate-controlled vault for the past twenty years, these Air Jordan 3s remain in exceptional condition without material deterioration. According to JOOPITER, this is the only known game-worn example of a Kobe Bryant Air Jordan 3 PE to surface publicly in over two decades.

With a direct tie to an era where Bryant carried the Lakers during a historic scoring streak without Shaquille O’Neal, this auction is drawing massive attention from high-end sports memorabilia collectors. Bidding on JOOPITER is currently sitting at $130,000 USD, though the auction house estimates the game-worn sneakers will ultimately command between $500,000 and $700,000 USD before the auction closes on May 1, 2026.

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