LeBron's Iconic Jersey Heads to Auction
Sports memorabilia aficionados, especially LeBron James fans, are eagerly anticipating an extraordinary item set to hit the auction block this September. The jersey worn by LeBron during his famed 2002 "The Chosen One" photoshoot for Sports Illustrated is headed for a high-profile auction in Hong Kong on September 28. This piece of basketball history is poised to fetch between $1 and $2 million, a significant uptick from its previous auction prices.
The jersey, initially sold for $187,500 in 2019, saw a substantial boost in value when it was auctioned again in 2021 for $512,200. The upcoming auction is expected to break all previous records, a testament to the growing legacy and influence of LeBron James. Michael LeBrecht, the photographer behind the iconic shoot, vividly recalls the day the image was captured. "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 remarked.
A Pivotal Moment in Basketball History
The 2002 photoshoot was much more than just another day at work. For LeBrecht, it marked the first time he photographed LeBron, then a high school junior already making waves in the basketball world. "You look back and you don't realize, it was a real turning point. It's surreal," LeBrecht reflected. The session was a mix of planned and spontaneous moments, capturing LeBron's raw talent and vibrant energy.
"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!'" LeBrecht recounted. The shoot encapsulated the essence of a young athlete on the brink of superstardom.
The Making of a Legend
That same jersey captures a significant chapter in LeBron's illustrious career. He wore it during a critical game in his junior season at St. Vincent-St. Mary, where he scored an impressive 32 points. The following year, LeBron declared for the 2003 NBA Draft, a decision that would pave the way for him to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Selected No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron embarked on an NBA journey that continues to shine brightly 22 seasons later.
Now at 39, LeBron has amassed numerous accolades, the most recent being a gold medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics. His enduring presence in the sport only heightens the appeal and value of the memorabilia associated with his early career.
A Nostalgic Return
For LeBrecht, the auction represents a nostalgic return to a defining moment. "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 noted. The jersey, a mute witness to an epoch-making turning point, is much more than fabric and thread—it is a symbol of LeBron's meteoric rise and the fulfillment of his early promise.
Reflecting on the shoot, LeBrecht expressed a tinge of regret mixed with admiration for the memorabilia’s evolving significance. "What's f---ed up is I didn't ask to take the jersey home after the shoot," he confessed, acknowledging the immense historical and sentimental value it has accrued over the years.
As the auction date approaches, anticipation builds. Collectors and fans alike recognize this jersey not merely as a piece of sportswear but as a tangible piece of sports history. Whether it meets or exceeds its estimated auction price, its legacy, much like LeBron's, is already cemented in the annals of sports lore.