In a remarkable turn of events, the jersey worn by LeBron James during his iconic 2002 photoshoot for Sports Illustrated, branded with "The Chosen One," is set to auction in Hong Kong this September. The auction, scheduled for September 28, anticipates bidders will shell out between $1 to $2 million for this historic piece of sports memorabilia.
A Jersey with a Legendary Backstory
This particular jersey is steeped in significance. Worn by a young LeBron James during a critical game in his junior year, the 18-year-old phenom dazzled the crowd by scoring 32 points. This performance further solidified his reputation as a once-in-a-generation talent. Highlighting the momentous occasion, renowned photographer Michael LeBrecht captured the essence of LeBron's burgeoning career. Sealing the jersey’s place in history, LeBron declared for the 2003 NBA Draft the following year and entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Rapidly Appreciating Value
The jersey has experienced a meteoric rise in value over recent years. Initially sold for $187,500 in 2019, it fetched a staggering $512,200 in 2021. This upcoming auction could break records, reflecting both LeBron's enduring influence on the sport and the fascination with his early career memorabilia. Michael LeBrecht, the photographer of the famed shoot, reflects on his encounter with the jersey and the young prodigy it adorned, “The last time I saw this jersey was probably the time that I shot it in the locker room at St. Vincent-St. Mary.”
Capturing History
LeBrecht shared his thoughts on the spontaneous, yet significant, moment he captured through his lens. “You look back and you don't realize, it was a real turning point. It's surreal,” he reminisced. What transpired in that high school locker room became more profound than any had anticipated at the time. LeBrecht couldn't have imagined that his simple setup would be immortalized as a symbolic leap from teenage aspiration to NBA superstardom.
The shoot itself was an exercise in both endurance and creativity. “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 humorously recounted.
Remaining Most Valuable Player
LeBron James, now 39, stands as a monumental figure in basketball lore. Entering his 22nd NBA season, his legacy continues to grow. He has four NBA championships, numerous MVP awards, and most recently, a gold medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics to his name. The jersey, thus, isn’t just a piece of cloth; it embodies the spirit of a young athlete who flawlessly turned potential into historic achievement.
The jersey’s current owner stands to make a lucrative profit, but LeBrecht expressed a slightly different sentiment. “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.” It's a poignant reminder of how objects can capture and freeze time, etching moments that shaped not just careers, but cultural history.
An Iconic Echo
The upcoming auction is not just another sale; it’s an homage to the origins of a legend. It's a chance for the highest bidder to own a tangible piece of LeBron's illustrious journey. Michael LeBrecht, however, reflected on a missed opportunity with a hint of humor and regret, “What's f---ed up is I didn't ask to take the jersey home after the shoot.”
As the world awaits September 28, the auction will undoubtedly attract global attention, echoing the impact LeBron James has had and continues to have on the sport of basketball. The jersey stands as a priceless symbol of the beginning of an era, capturing the youthful determination of an athlete on the verge of greatness.