In a moment that forever changed the trajectory of LeBron James' career, a seemingly simple high school photoshoot has immortalized an iconic relic in the world of basketball memorabilia. The jersey worn by LeBron during his famed "The Chosen One" photoshoot for Sports Illustrated in 2002 is set to hit the auction block this September in Hong Kong.
Iconic Jersey Heads to Auction
This famed jersey, which LeBron donned during his junior year at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, is anticipated to command between $1 and $2 million at the auction scheduled for September 28. This comes after the jersey's value surged dramatically in recent years; it sold for $187,500 in 2019 and then jumped to $512,200 at a 2021 auction. The garment isn't just a piece of cloth; it's a symbol of LeBron's meteoric rise to basketball stardom.
A Game-Changing Moment
Michael LeBrecht, the photographer behind the iconic shoot, vividly recalls capturing the budding star. "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 reminisced. It was during this pivotal game that LeBron scored an impressive 32 points, setting the stage for his inevitable leap to the NBA. Looking back, LeBrecht reflects, "You look back and you don't realize, it was a real turning point. It's surreal."
The Photoshoot Experience
The 2002 photoshoot marked LeBrecht's first time working with LeBron, who was a high school junior with NBA aspirations. "This was the first time I shot LeBron. Just kind of a simple setup," LeBrecht explained. "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!'" This enthusiastic energy and raw talent captured in the images have since become part of basketball folklore.
The Emotional Tie
As the jersey reappears in the public eye, it evokes a mixture of nostalgia and curiosity. "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 mused. For him, the jersey isn't just a collectible, but a touchstone of a career milestone he witnessed firsthand. The tangible connection to that ephemeral moment is potent. "What's f---ed up is I didn't ask to take the jersey home after the shoot," LeBrecht half-jokingly lamented, underscoring the personal significance the item holds for him.
LeBron's Unstoppable Rise
In the aftermath of the photoshoot, LeBron's career spiraled upward at an unprecedented pace. He declared for the 2003 NBA Draft, where he was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Today, at 39 years old, LeBron is entering his 22nd NBA season, having recently added a gold medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics to his extensive list of accolades.
The auction of this jersey offers fans and collectors a rare opportunity to own a piece of basketball history. It's a symbol of a young athlete's dreams, captured and immortalized on film, that has come to represent one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.