Ginobili's national team coach Sergio Hernandez and team-mate Fabricio Oberto were among the bidders, but it was former football star Diego Maradona who flashed the most cash, spending over £17,000.

Ginobili, who along with Hernandez and Oberto will soon be bound for the FIBA World Championship in Japan, will put the money towards a new home for children in his home city of Bahia Blanca.

Maradona bought a number of items in the sale. He began by snapping up one of Lionel Messi's Argentina shirt for £600, outbidding Bocu Juniors president Mauricio Macri to secure the item.

Maradona then outbit Manu's wife for a pair of Tim Duncan's sneakers, paying £1,400.

He also bought a package - including travel, tickets, and dinner with the players - to see the Spurs in action in the NBA.

"This is a present for my daughters", he said.

Maradona also bought a basketball signed by the NBA title-winning San Antonio Spurs squad from 2003.

"It has the autograph of the 'Admiral' David Robinson!" Maradona said. "It is incredible."

A director from sports goods company Nike spent almost £900 on one of Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers jerseys, while Ginobili's own Spurs jersey fetched almost £3,500.

At one point, Maradona grabbed the microphone and goaded a warehouse director into buying one of Ginobili's Argentina jerseys for £2,600.

Oberto bought a signed replica of Maradona's shirt from the 1986 World Cup in Mexico for £5,500.

"It was to help the children," he said. "It was a good reason. Also, Diego dedicated some words to me that filled me of pride."

Hernandez, Oberto and Ginobili begin their preparations for the FIBA World Championship this weekend.

Article courtesy of www.fiba.com