Kobe Bryant's 2004 Nike sneakers expected to fetch up to $38,000 at Geneva auction

A pair of high-top Nike sneakers from the late NBA star Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard who died in a helicopter crash in California last year, are among the featured items in auctions of jewelry and other collectibles next week in Geneva.

The blue, white and gold Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 basketball shoes are expected to fetch up to 35,000 Swiss francs (about $38,000) during a November 11 sale at Sotheby's. Bryant wore the sneakers in a March 17, 2004, victory over the L.A. Clippers, according to the auction house.

But as usual in the Geneva fall auction season, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies and other prized gems will be the highlights of next week's sales at Sotheby's and rival Christie's.