Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant is embroiled in a legal battle over rights to the basketball superstar's middle and high school memorabilia, as well as two 2000 Lakers championship rings designed for his parents.

Expected to bring $1.5 million, which his mother, Pamela Bryant, intended to use to purchase a house in Nevada, the "Bryant Collection" was set to be auctioned off in June by Goldin Auctions.  Recently, the company received a cease-and-desist letter from Kobe's lawyer, citing unlawful ownership of his possessions.  Auction company founder Ken Goldin claims to have been assured by Pamela Bryant that she was the rightful owner, considering she kept the items in storage for over 15 years and when she asked Kobe's wife Vanessa if she wanted the items she declined, saying, "those items belong to the past."

Goldin, which advanced Pamela Bryant $450,000, is countersuing.

—Source:  HuffingtonPost.com