The St. Vincent-St. Mary High School jersey worn by LeBron James during his landmark Sports Illustrated cover shoot in 2002 is about to make history once again. Scheduled for auction in Hong Kong on September 28, this legendary piece of sports memorabilia is expected to fetch between $1 million and $2 million.
If the jersey meets this forecast, it will become the most expensive high school jersey ever sold, surpassing previous records and cementing its place in basketball history.
The jersey gained worldwide recognition from its association with the Sports Illustrated cover that anointed James as “The Chosen One.” The cover was a pivotal moment in the young athlete’s career, showcasing his immense potential and helping him gain national attention. This moment was not just a significant media event but also a harbinger of the remarkable career that was about to unfold for James.
👑 Witness the genesis of a legend. #LeBronJames‘ ‘Chosen One’ #jersey – a symbol of his predestined greatness, is hitting the auction block at “Legends in Motion” auction.
Register & Bidhttps://t.co/kZZEkY4XzK#LeBronJames #TheChosenOne #KingJames #JuliensAuctions pic.twitter.com/iEpzoOsPky
— Julien’s Auctions (@JuliensAuctions) August 28, 2024
In recent years, the jersey has been sold twice at auction, each time for a notable sum. The first sale in 2019 saw the jersey go for $187,500, reflecting its growing importance among collectors. Two years later, in 2021, it was sold for $512,200, further underscoring its increasing value. Now, with the upcoming auction, the jersey’s value is projected to reach unprecedented heights.
Michael LeBrecht, the photographer who captured that iconic Sports Illustrated shoot, shared his reflections on the jersey and the shoot with Julien’s, the auction house overseeing the upcoming event. LeBrecht reminisced about the experience, saying, “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.”
LeBrecht described the simplicity and significance of the shoot. “The last time I saw this jersey was probably the time that I shot it in the locker room at St. Vincent-St. Mary. 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…
