LeBron James’ High School Jersey Sells for Record $1.3 Million at Auction

Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles recently announced that a high school basketball jersey worn by LeBron James was sold for a record $1.3 million at an auction last weekend.

The jersey, which James wore while playing for St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and during his iconic 2002 Sports Illustrated cover shoot where he was dubbed “The Chosen One,” set a new world record for a high school basketball jersey sold at auction.

The sale took place during Julien’s Auctions’ “Legends in Motion” event, held at the Island Shangri-La in Hong Kong on September 28. The live auction attracted both in-person and online bidders.

Although the jersey was expected to fetch between $1 million and $2 million, the final bid came in at $1.3 million.

In a statement about the auction, Julien’s Auctions CEO David Goodman emphasized the significance of the jersey, calling it “one of the most emblematic and important pieces of sports and entertainment history.”

He noted that the jersey represents a pivotal moment in LeBron James’ rise to basketball stardom, making it a highly sought-after item for collectors.

In addition to the jersey, a limited-edition photo of James wearing the same jersey, signed by photographer Michael J. Le Brecht II, sold for $16,250—far surpassing its estimated value of $1,000 to $2,000.

The auction solidifies the importance of James’ early career and continues to highlight his influence on sports and popular culture.