Photo: MSE
Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation is hosting an auction featuring Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards memorabilia. Specialty items include gear worn by Capitals and Wizards players in tribute the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant. All proceeds will benefit The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation and The MambaOnThree Fund. The auction is now open and will close at the end of the second intermission during the Capitals’ game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, February 23. Click here to bid in the auction.
Wizards items include jerseys worn in tribute to Bryant before their game on January 30 vs. the Charlotte Hornets.
The auction features Capitals’ captain Alex Ovechkin’s autographed jersey featuring No. 24 in tribute to Bryant and his game-used stick and gloves.
After practice on January 26, Ovechkin told media, “It’s tough you know because I know him. He always treat me well when he saw me. You know, it’s hard. He was a legend in the basketball world and the whole world, and it is tough. Still can’t believe it.”
Ovechkin wore a No. 24 jersey during warmups before the Capitals’ home game against the Nashville Predators on January 30.
The team also honored and remembered Kobe, his daughter Gianna, and the seven others on board who died in a helicopter crash on January 26. Kobe Bryant retired from the NBA in 2016 but spent a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, won five championships, and was named NBA Finals MVP twice and the NBA’s MVP in 2007-08.
For Kobe.
For Gianna.
For all who tragically perished.Tonight we honor and remember the lives lost. pic.twitter.com/rrHw34pxAA
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 30, 2020
From MSE
Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation is hosting an auction featuring Capitals and Wizards memorabilia, including items worn by Capitals and Wizards players in tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Proceeds will benefit The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation and The MambaOnThree Fund. The auction is now open and concludes at the end of the second intermission during the Washington Capitals game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, Feb. 23.
Capitals items in the auction include an autographed Alex Ovechkin jersey featuring the number 24 that was worn during pregame warmups on Jan. 29, a signed Ovechkin game-used stick and signed Ovechkin game used gloves.
Throughout his career, Ovechkin has shared his admiration for the sport of basketball and its athletes. Ovechkin has long admired Bryant and his commitment to his sport and felt privileged to have met him on several occasions. Ovechkin’s mother, Tatyana, played professional basketball in the Soviet Union and won Olympic gold medals with the national team in 1976 and 1980.
Wizards items in the auction include 15 autographed Wizards black City Edition jerseys lettered “Bryant” with either the number 8 or 24 that players wore during warmups before their game on Jan. 30. Wizards players and Chairman Ted Leonsis honored Bryant in a tribute video that played prior to the game against Charlotte.
Bryant and his daughter Gianna, along with seven others, passed away in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26. Bryant, who retired from the NBA in 2016, spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers, Bryant won five championships, was named NBA Finals MVP twice and the NBA’s MVP in 2007-08.
Click here to bid in the auction.
All photos courtesy of Monumental Sports & Entertainment
By Della Young
Statement from @TedLeonsis on the passing of Kobe Bryant.
Rest In Peace, #BlackMamba. pic.twitter.com/1TPrGXiVWw
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 26, 2020
