The jersey worn by LeBron James during his iconic "The Chosen One" photoshoot for Sports Illustrated in 2002 is about to take center stage once more. The garment, a symbol of LeBron's meteoric rise to NBA stardom, is set to hit the auction block in Hong Kong this September, with the auction scheduled for the 28th.
This particular piece of memorabilia is expected to fetch between $1 and $2 million, a testament to LeBron's enduring legacy and the jersey's historical significance. The last time this jersey was sold was in 2021, where it commanded a price of $512,200, more than doubling its previous sale price of $187,500 in 2019.
A Piece of History
Michael LeBrecht, the photographer behind the legendary shoot, reminisced about the moment he captured LeBron in what would become one of the most recognizable images in sports. "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 recalled. The photoshoot itself was a mix of simplicity and spontaneity. "This was the first time I shot LeBron. Just kind of a simple setup. I had him dunk the ball at least 40 times," he said. "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!'
The story of the jersey extends beyond just the photoshoot. LeBron wore it during a pivotal game in his junior season, where he scored an impressive 32 points. That season set the stage for him to declare for the 2003 NBA Draft the following year, where he was selected No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Legacy Continues
LeBron's career has since been nothing short of extraordinary. Now at the age of 39 and entering his 22nd NBA season, he's a living legend with countless accolades to his name, including a recent gold medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics. This piece of memorabilia not only represents a turning point in LeBron's career but also a moment in time that resonates with fans and collectors alike.
Reflecting on the significance of the jersey, LeBrecht shared, "You look back and you don't realize, it was a real turning point. It's surreal." The photographer's connection to the jersey is palpable, yet mixed with a tinge of regret. "What's f---ed up is I didn't ask to take the jersey home after the shoot," he admitted. Nonetheless, the jersey remains an iconic piece of history. "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."
The Auction Anticipation
As September 28 draws closer, the sports memorabilia world is abuzz with anticipation. Collectors and fans alike are eager to see how much LeBron's jersey will command at auction, and whether it will indeed fetch up to $2 million as predicted. This auction isn't just about the money—it's about owning a tangible piece of sports history, a jersey that marked the birth of "The Chosen One."
For now, we can only watch and wait as this iconic jersey makes its way to the auction block, a powerful reminder of LeBron James' remarkable journey from a high school phenom in Akron, Ohio, to one of the greatest basketball players of all time.