LeBron James' Iconic Jersey Heads to Auction in Hong Kong
In a development that underscores the evolving market for iconic sports memorabilia, the jersey worn by LeBron James during his historic "The Chosen One" photoshoot for Sports Illustrated in 2002 is set to hit the auction block in Hong Kong this September. The auction, scheduled for September 28, is expected to attract significant attention from collectors and basketball enthusiasts alike, with the jersey projected to fetch between $1 and $2 million.
This jersey is not just any piece of sports apparel; it represents a pivotal moment in the career of one of basketball's greatest players. LeBron wore this jersey during a critical game in his junior season at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, scoring an impressive 32 points. The following year, he declared for the 2003 NBA Draft, where he was selected No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, at the age of 39 and entering his 22nd NBA season, LeBron’s achievements continue to amaze, most recently adding a gold medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics to his extensive list of accolades.
Michael LeBrecht, the photographer behind the original Sports Illustrated shoot, offers a nostalgic reflection on the moment that would mark the start of LeBron's extraordinary journey. "The last time I saw this jersey was probably the time that I shot it in the locker room at St. Vincent-St. Mary," LeBrecht recalls. "You look back and you don't realize, it was a real turning point. It's surreal."
LeBrecht's memories of the shoot are vivid and filled with the kind of energy that only comes when you are capturing history in the making. "This was the first time I shot LeBron. Just kind of a simple setup. 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!'"
In a poignant moment of reminiscence, LeBrecht also shares a common regret among those who witness a historic event but fail to keep a tangible piece of it. "What's f---ed up is I didn't ask to take the jersey home after the shoot," he admits.
This jersey has a notable auction history. It previously sold for $187,500 in 2019 before seeing an impressive jump to $512,200 in a 2021 auction. This substantial increase in value reflects not only LeBron's growing legacy but also the increasing desire among collectors to own a piece of sports history as unique as this.
For many, this jersey is more than just fabric and thread; it symbolizes the birth of a legend, a tangible link to the moment when the world was formally introduced to "The Chosen One." LeBrecht’s reflection captures this sentiment perfectly: "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."
As the auction date approaches, the excitement around this historic piece continues to build. Collectors and basketball aficionados worldwide will be watching closely, eager to see how the jersey's value has appreciated alongside LeBron's monumental career.