LeBron James' Iconic High School Jersey Set for Auction
The jersey worn by LeBron James during his seminal "The Chosen One" photoshoot for Sports Illustrated in 2002 is poised to hit the auction block in Hong Kong this September. This remarkable piece of sports memorabilia, with an illustrious history, will be up for grabs on September 28, and it is expected to fetch anywhere between $1 million and $2 million.
This jersey has changed hands before, most notably in 2019 when it sold for $187,500. The value soared to an impressive $512,200 in a 2021 auction, reflecting the growing reverence for LeBron's early career artifacts. Now, as it returns to the auction circuit, expectations are sky-high.
Michael LeBrecht, the photographer who captured the iconic moment in 2002, recalled, "The last time I saw this jersey was probably the time that I shot it in the locker room at St. Vincent-St. Mary." For LeBrecht, who witnessed LeBron's rise firsthand, the jersey's journey has been nothing short of surreal. "You look back and you don't realize, it was a real turning point. It's surreal," he noted.
An Iconic Photoshoot
LeBrecht's recollections of the photoshoot itself reveal the energy and determination encapsulated in that single frame. "This was the first time I shot LeBron. Just kind of a simple setup," he reminisced. The session was far from simple, however, as it involved LeBron dunking the ball no fewer than 40 times. "I had him dunk the ball at least 40 times. Got him praying to make the NBA, and then I just felt like, 'OK, let's get a little bit more animated.' He's posing, I'm like 'just reach out like this,' and then I'm like, 'give me a woo!' And he's like, 'woo!'"
The jersey in question is not just a piece of fabric but a memento from a pivotal game in LeBron’s junior season. Wearing this jersey, young LeBron scored 32 points, cementing his status as an emerging basketball sensation. The following year, LeBron declared for the 2003 NBA Draft and was selected No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking the beginning of a legendary career.
LeBron's trajectory from high school phenom to NBA superstar has been nothing short of extraordinary. Now, at 39, he is entering his 22nd NBA season and has recently added a gold medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics to his collection of accolades.
A Revered Relic
Returning to the jersey itself, it’s evident that it carries more than just monetary value. LeBrecht's emotional connection to the item is palpable. "You come back to something you photographed, usually you say 'what's up, how you doing? It's been a minute.' This doesn't talk back. But it's so iconic," he expressed. The jersey represents not only a piece of LeBron's legacy but also a part of LeBrecht's career and the collective memory of basketball aficionados.
Interestingly, LeBrecht harbors a small regret from that fateful photoshoot. "What's f---ed up is I didn't ask to take the jersey home after the shoot," he admitted. Little did he know that the jersey would become such a valuable and revered item in the sports memorabilia world.
The Market's Fever Pitch
As the auction date approaches, the anticipation surrounding this jersey continues to build. Collectors and fans alike are eager to own a piece of sports history tied to one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The journey of this jersey—from LeBron's high school days to the international auction stage—serves as a testament to the athlete's monumental impact on the sport.
Whether it sells at the lower or upper end of the estimated price range, one thing is for certain: this jersey is far more than a piece of clothing. It is a relic of a defining moment in LeBron James' career and, by extension, in the annals of basketball history.