Sneakers gifted to LeBron by Kobe in 2002 up for auction

A pair of sneakers LeBron James received from Kobe Bryant as a high schooler has hit the auction block.

The Adidas sneakers, which are being sold by Heritage Auctions, feature an American flag-themed colorway designed to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks. James wore the shoes in a game against Oak Hill Academy and Carmelo Anthony on Feb. 10, 2002.

"I think my most fond moment is (Bryant) gave me his shoes when I was in high school," James told ESPN's Dave McMenamin in 2016. "I think I was playing in a tournament in Teaneck, New Jersey, and they were playing in the (2002) All-Star game in Philly.

"And I had an opportunity to go meet him, and he gave me a pair of his shoes, and I actually wore them in a game against Oak Hill - against Melo, actually. So, six degrees of separation right there."

The shoes were discovered at an estate sale in Akron, Ohio, along with several other James-related items, according to Heritage Auctions.

The top bid is currently at $18,000 with 14 days remaining in the auction.