Kobe Bryant in court battle with mother over memorabilia

Kobe Bryant is in a court battle with his mother because she is trying to auction off his old Lakers and high school memorabilia.

Pamela Bryant was given $450,000 up front by a New Jersey auction house to surrender mementos from Kobe’s days at Lower Merion High and in his early seasons with the Lakers. She planned to use the advance to help purchase a Nevada home.

Kobe Bryant has moved to block the auction.

Mother and son allegedly talked about the items five years ago, according to lawyers for Goldin Auctions.

“Kobe Bryant indicated to Pamela Bryant that the items belonged to her and that he had no interest in them,� the lawyers wrote in court documents, adding that Pamela was spending $1,500 a month to store the items.

There are about 900 items totaling more than $1.5 million in value, according to the auction house, including two championship rings that Bryant gave his parents after the Lakers won the 2000 title, a signed basketball from that team, his 1996 Pennsylvania high school championship ring and sweat suits he wore at Lower Merion.

His attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter after the auction house announced the sale Tuesday.

“Mr. Bryant’s personal property has ended up in the possession of someone who does not lawfully own it,� said Kobe Bryant’s attorney, Mark Campbell. “We look forward to resolving this legal matter through the legal system.�

Goldin Auctions sold a rare Honus Wagner baseball card earlier this year for $2.1 million.

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