Basketball Jersey
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Sport Basketball Sport uniform Jordan Textiles Olympic Games
Chronology : 1998 2008
See also : Sport Basketball Sport uniform Jordan Textiles Olympic Games
Chronology : 1998 2008
Wilt CHAMBERLAIN
1
1959-1960 Home Uniform
2023 SOLD for $ 1.8M by SCP
Wilt Chamberlain made his NBA debut in October 1959 with the Philadelphia Warriors. The $ 30,000 rookie contract of the phenomenal 23 year old player 2.16 m 117 kg was unprecedented in basketball. With 2,102 points scored in 56 games in that first season, he was breaking the all time regular season record.
Threatening to retire after that season, he had his salary increased to $ 65,000. It was a good deal : Chamberlain crushed his records in the next two seasons. On March 2, 1962 he scored 100 points in a single game.
The home uniform from Chamberlain's rookie season was sold for $ 1.8M by SCP on June 17, 2023, lot 1. It is made of the size 40 jersey dated 59 and the trunks. The two pieces had possibly been used in every home game in the rookie season and display a heavy game wear including perspiration and a stain which is possibly blood.
The jersey has been photo-matched by Sports Investors with six games from January to March 1960 and is graded A9 by MEARS.
Threatening to retire after that season, he had his salary increased to $ 65,000. It was a good deal : Chamberlain crushed his records in the next two seasons. On March 2, 1962 he scored 100 points in a single game.
The home uniform from Chamberlain's rookie season was sold for $ 1.8M by SCP on June 17, 2023, lot 1. It is made of the size 40 jersey dated 59 and the trunks. The two pieces had possibly been used in every home game in the rookie season and display a heavy game wear including perspiration and a stain which is possibly blood.
The jersey has been photo-matched by Sports Investors with six games from January to March 1960 and is graded A9 by MEARS.
2
1972 NBA Finals Home Jersey
2023 SOLD for $ 4.9M by Sotheby's
In 1971 Bill Sharman was appointed lead coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. His method of game day routine including team meeting and of early morning practice including calisthenics led to immediate results. The Lakers recorded a stunning 69-13 win-loss of games in the 1971-72 NBA season including 33 straight games from November to January. The lead players were Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain.
The NBA Finals were played between the Lakers and the New York Knicks. On May 5, 1972, Chamberlain broke his right hand in the fourth Game. On May 7, he played the fifth and last game with his hand packed into thick pads, recording 24 points, 29 rebounds, 8 assists, and 8 blocked shots. He had refused a painkiller for fear he would lose his shooting touch.
With their win 114-100 in that fifth Game, the Lakers got the NBA title for the first time since they have moved from Milwaukee to Los Angeles. Chamberlain was awarded the Finals MVP for the first and last time and Sharman was named NBA Coach of the year.
A gold color # 13 Lakers jersey worn by Chamberlain is photo-matched by MeiGray and Sports Investors Authenticated with a number of games including the Western Conference Finals in April 1972 and the Games 2 and 5 of the NBA Finals. The other three games of the Finals had been played in New York. This cotton garment by Tiernan was sold for $ 4.9M by Sotheby's on September 27, 2023, lot 1.
The NBA Finals were played between the Lakers and the New York Knicks. On May 5, 1972, Chamberlain broke his right hand in the fourth Game. On May 7, he played the fifth and last game with his hand packed into thick pads, recording 24 points, 29 rebounds, 8 assists, and 8 blocked shots. He had refused a painkiller for fear he would lose his shooting touch.
With their win 114-100 in that fifth Game, the Lakers got the NBA title for the first time since they have moved from Milwaukee to Los Angeles. Chamberlain was awarded the Finals MVP for the first and last time and Sharman was named NBA Coach of the year.
A gold color # 13 Lakers jersey worn by Chamberlain is photo-matched by MeiGray and Sports Investors Authenticated with a number of games including the Western Conference Finals in April 1972 and the Games 2 and 5 of the NBA Finals. The other three games of the Finals had been played in New York. This cotton garment by Tiernan was sold for $ 4.9M by Sotheby's on September 27, 2023, lot 1.
Michael JORDAN
1984 Chicago Bulls Road Jersey
2025 for sale on March 26 by Sotheby's
Michael Jordan begins his NBA career in 1984 with the Chicago Bulls.
A road jersey bearing his number 23 was photo-matched by MeiGray with a video footage to the first NBA game played by Jordan, on October 5, 1984.
It also has been photo-matched by SIA to Jordan's 2nd NBA game on October 7, 1984 and by MeiGray to his 3rd NBA game on October 13, 1984. MeiGray stated that they "believe that this is the first jersey Michael Jordan ever wore while playing in the NBA."
It is estimated $ 8M for sale by Sotheby's on March 26, 2025, lot 1. It has been signed by Jordan. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
A road jersey bearing his number 23 was photo-matched by MeiGray with a video footage to the first NBA game played by Jordan, on October 5, 1984.
It also has been photo-matched by SIA to Jordan's 2nd NBA game on October 7, 1984 and by MeiGray to his 3rd NBA game on October 13, 1984. MeiGray stated that they "believe that this is the first jersey Michael Jordan ever wore while playing in the NBA."
It is estimated $ 8M for sale by Sotheby's on March 26, 2025, lot 1. It has been signed by Jordan. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
1
1992 Olympic Games Jersey
2023 SOLD for $ 3M by Goldin
Amateurism had been the cornerstone of the Olympic Games. Things changed after 1984 as an opposition to the Soviet practice of training full time amateurs. At the Seoul Games in 1988 professionals were authorized to play tennis. Basketball was won by the Soviets amidst the Cold War with the USA achieving a disappointing bronze.
The US basketball was convinced to present a professional team at Barcelona in 1992. 11 players were selected by the NBA and one place was left to an amateur as a reminder to the obsoleted rules.
The NBA had at that time the most talented basketball players in the world. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were selected as co-captains. The Olympic number of Michael Jordan was the 9 instead of his usual 23 within the NBA.
The result was astonishing with all games won in a mean difference of 44 points. The then nicknamed Dream Team was collectively awarded many honors.
The semifinal was won 127-76 against Lithuania. At that time basketball equipment was not considered as sports relics. After the game the 12 jerseys had been thrown on the floor. The wife of Karl Malone, one of the twelve, picked them, simply. The Malones had them signed by the respective player and collected a pair of sneakers from any of them, worn in various other games from the same Olympics.
The whole collection treasured by Malone in plain sight in his car dealership in Utah will be sold by Goldin on May 25, 2023. Nine jerseys are photo-matched. Jordan's jersey was sold for $ 3M, lot 1.
In the same sale, the pair of sneakers game worn by Jordan was sold for $ 420K, lot 2. This specific Nike Air Jordan (Jumpman) pair is photo-matched with the game against Puerto-Rico in the Pre-Olympic Tournament of the Americas. USA won 119-81.
The US basketball was convinced to present a professional team at Barcelona in 1992. 11 players were selected by the NBA and one place was left to an amateur as a reminder to the obsoleted rules.
The NBA had at that time the most talented basketball players in the world. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were selected as co-captains. The Olympic number of Michael Jordan was the 9 instead of his usual 23 within the NBA.
The result was astonishing with all games won in a mean difference of 44 points. The then nicknamed Dream Team was collectively awarded many honors.
The semifinal was won 127-76 against Lithuania. At that time basketball equipment was not considered as sports relics. After the game the 12 jerseys had been thrown on the floor. The wife of Karl Malone, one of the twelve, picked them, simply. The Malones had them signed by the respective player and collected a pair of sneakers from any of them, worn in various other games from the same Olympics.
The whole collection treasured by Malone in plain sight in his car dealership in Utah will be sold by Goldin on May 25, 2023. Nine jerseys are photo-matched. Jordan's jersey was sold for $ 3M, lot 1.
In the same sale, the pair of sneakers game worn by Jordan was sold for $ 420K, lot 2. This specific Nike Air Jordan (Jumpman) pair is photo-matched with the game against Puerto-Rico in the Pre-Olympic Tournament of the Americas. USA won 119-81.
2
1996 Road Jersey
2024 SOLD for $ 4.7M by Sotheby's
Michael Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls in 1995 after a 18 month hiatus. He led that team to championship each year from 1996 to 1998, winning that three Finals MVP awards but losing to Malone the overall 1997 NBA MVP.
A game worn road red jersey of Michael Jordan with the number 23 of the Bulls has been photo-matched by MeiGray with an impressive 17 NBA games in 15 cities from December 1996 to April 1997. He recorded in these games a total of 528 points which is 31 points per game. MeiGray suggest that it has also been used in 3 non-photo-matched games.
Michael's jersey are rare until and including that 1996-97 season due to extensive reuse. Many fakes have surfaced. His game worn jerseys are more common in the next season known as the Last Dance, because the Bulls used to sell these garments for charity purposes.
The example above was sold for $ 4.7M by Sotheby's on November 4, 2024, lot 1.
A game worn road red jersey of Michael Jordan with the number 23 of the Bulls has been photo-matched by MeiGray with an impressive 17 NBA games in 15 cities from December 1996 to April 1997. He recorded in these games a total of 528 points which is 31 points per game. MeiGray suggest that it has also been used in 3 non-photo-matched games.
Michael's jersey are rare until and including that 1996-97 season due to extensive reuse. Many fakes have surfaced. His game worn jerseys are more common in the next season known as the Last Dance, because the Bulls used to sell these garments for charity purposes.
The example above was sold for $ 4.7M by Sotheby's on November 4, 2024, lot 1.
3
1998 NBA Finals Road Jersey
2022 SOLD for $ 10M by Sotheby's
The 1998 Finals were a key event in NBA history, opposing the Utah Jazz and the Chicago Bulls. Michael Jordan, who had hitherto made his whole NBA career with the Bulls, won the Most Valuable Player award of the Finals and his sixth NBA championship.
The first game was made in Salt Lake City on June 3, in a surrounding ambience hostile to the Bulls. Utah won it by a narrow margin, despite the 33 points scored by Jordan.
The road jersey worn by Michael Jordan in that Game 1 was sold for $ 10M from a lower estimate of $ 3M by Sotheby's on September 15, 2022, lot 1. It has been photo matched in game use by MeiGray.
After Game 5 the Bulls were leading 3-2 and Utah could expect a tie as the home team in Game 6. The game was tied 83-83 with one minute left. Utah scored with 43 seconds left and Jordan brought the victory of Game 6 and the Finals to the Bulls at 87-86 with 5 seconds and a timeout left. Jordan had scored 45 points in Game 6 where he wore a similar red and black road jersey as in Game 1.
That win was also the end of an era for the Bulls plagued by tension between manager and coach. Jordan announced his retirement but made a come back as NBA player with the Washington Wizards in 2001 after the September 11 attack.
In 2020 The Last Dance raised a worldwide attention to Michael Jordan as an all sport Greatest Of All Time. This 10-part TV documentary relied on 500 hour footage of candid film of the Bulls in that highly successful 1997-1998 season, made by an entertainment crew for use in a documentary. The project had been delayed until Jordan gave his permission;
The first game was made in Salt Lake City on June 3, in a surrounding ambience hostile to the Bulls. Utah won it by a narrow margin, despite the 33 points scored by Jordan.
The road jersey worn by Michael Jordan in that Game 1 was sold for $ 10M from a lower estimate of $ 3M by Sotheby's on September 15, 2022, lot 1. It has been photo matched in game use by MeiGray.
After Game 5 the Bulls were leading 3-2 and Utah could expect a tie as the home team in Game 6. The game was tied 83-83 with one minute left. Utah scored with 43 seconds left and Jordan brought the victory of Game 6 and the Finals to the Bulls at 87-86 with 5 seconds and a timeout left. Jordan had scored 45 points in Game 6 where he wore a similar red and black road jersey as in Game 1.
That win was also the end of an era for the Bulls plagued by tension between manager and coach. Jordan announced his retirement but made a come back as NBA player with the Washington Wizards in 2001 after the September 11 attack.
In 2020 The Last Dance raised a worldwide attention to Michael Jordan as an all sport Greatest Of All Time. This 10-part TV documentary relied on 500 hour footage of candid film of the Bulls in that highly successful 1997-1998 season, made by an entertainment crew for use in a documentary. The project had been delayed until Jordan gave his permission;
Kobe BRYANT
After a great high school season where his achievements had been compared with those of Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant was picked in the first round of the 1996 NBA drafts in June 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets acting on behalf of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant will never leave the Lakers, changing his jersey number from 8 to 24 in 2006.
Bryant will never leave the Lakers, changing his jersey number from 8 to 24 in 2006.
1996 Home Jersey
2025 for sale on April 24 by Sotheby's
A size 44 Champion home jersey of the Lakers with the number 8 has been photo-matched with seven events including the NBA Media day on October 1, 1996, the NBA pre-seacon debut on October 16, the first NBA game played by Bryant on November 3 and three other NBA games in that month.
This garment is thus the very first home jersey worn by Kobe Bryant in his NBA rookie season. It is estimated $ 10M for sale by Sotheby's on April 24, 2025, lot 1.
The photo-matchings were made by MeiGray, SIA and PSA.
This garment is thus the very first home jersey worn by Kobe Bryant in his NBA rookie season. It is estimated $ 10M for sale by Sotheby's on April 24, 2025, lot 1.
The photo-matchings were made by MeiGray, SIA and PSA.
Rookie jerseys from Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant could go for $10 million apiece at auction https://t.co/wyHQbf1441
— Businessweek (@BW) March 6, 2025
1
1996 Home Jersey
2021 SOLD for $ 3.7M by Goldin
On May 22, 2021, Goldin sold for $ 3.7M one of the very first Lakers home jerseys worn by Kobe Bryant, lot 10. It has been matched to a photo shoot before the opening of the 1996-1997 season.
This size 44 Lakers 8 jersey has also been conclusively matched by Resolution Photomatching to seven home games from that season including against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 8, 1996, plus tentatively to two other games.
This jersey is correct to the uniforms made by Champion for the Lakers in the 1996-1997 season and the autograph signature has been authenticated by Beckett. It is in a condition of an extensive game use.
This size 44 Lakers 8 jersey has also been conclusively matched by Resolution Photomatching to seven home games from that season including against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 8, 1996, plus tentatively to two other games.
This jersey is correct to the uniforms made by Champion for the Lakers in the 1996-1997 season and the autograph signature has been authenticated by Beckett. It is in a condition of an extensive game use.
2
1997 Home Jersey
2022 SOLD for $ 2.74M by SCP
A home jersey in the purple and gold colors of the Lakers was sold for $ 2.74M by SCP on June 4, 2022, lot 1. It is illustrated in the pre sale article by Sports Collectors Daily. It bears the number 8 of Kobe Bryant. Please watch the video shared by the auction house and the pre sale video shared by TMZ.
Previously unknown, it surfaced for that auction when the consignor knew about the earlier rookie jersey of Kobe Bryant that was sold for $ 3.6M by Goldin on May 22, 2021. He claims having it presented to him directly by Kobe.
This piece of uniform has recognizable mesh holes lined up with stitching and loose threads. It has been photo-matched by three matching service providers with overall five matches of Bryant's rookie season from April 1997 ending in two NBA playoff in May 8 and 10 which were his last home games of that season.
The Lakers lost that semifinal to the Utah. In the fifth and final game in Salt Lake City, the not yet 19 year old champion performed no less than 4 jump shots during the overtime.
Previously unknown, it surfaced for that auction when the consignor knew about the earlier rookie jersey of Kobe Bryant that was sold for $ 3.6M by Goldin on May 22, 2021. He claims having it presented to him directly by Kobe.
This piece of uniform has recognizable mesh holes lined up with stitching and loose threads. It has been photo-matched by three matching service providers with overall five matches of Bryant's rookie season from April 1997 ending in two NBA playoff in May 8 and 10 which were his last home games of that season.
The Lakers lost that semifinal to the Utah. In the fifth and final game in Salt Lake City, the not yet 19 year old champion performed no less than 4 jump shots during the overtime.
3
(2007)-2008 Mamba Mentality Jersey
2023 SOLD for $ 5.8M by Sotheby's
The competition passion of Kobe Bryant, who identified himself as Black Mamba, was a major inspiration for the younger NBA players and for sport and business beyond basketball. He was everyday demanding the most from himself to become and remain the best. His work ethic is identified as the Mamba mentality. A playmate wrote : "Kobe knew that to be the best you need a different approach from everyone else."
An image of Kobe is iconic and had many derivative products such as murals, posters, magazines, t-shirts, skateboards, tattoos and more. The champion is screaming his triumph and pumping his chest in elation after scoring a decisive three point shot for his Lakers against Denver on April 23, 2008. When Kobe was posthumously enshrined in 2020 into the Hall of Fame, this moment was featured on the program and VIP Passes for the evening.
The number 24 Lakers gold home jersey worn by Kobe on this image had an extensive use during the 2007-2008 season with 26 photomatchings authenticated by MeiGray from Getty images. The catalogue estimates that Kobe Bryant scored 645 points in this jersey.
It was also worn for the MVP (Most Valuable Player) trophy presentation on May 7, 2008, which was the only NBA MVP of his career.
This Adidas jersey size 54 plus 2 length was sold for $ 5.8M by Sotheby's on February 9, 2023, lot 1. The uniform is accompanied with photos of period murals in Los Angeles and with an illustrated skate deck.
An image of Kobe is iconic and had many derivative products such as murals, posters, magazines, t-shirts, skateboards, tattoos and more. The champion is screaming his triumph and pumping his chest in elation after scoring a decisive three point shot for his Lakers against Denver on April 23, 2008. When Kobe was posthumously enshrined in 2020 into the Hall of Fame, this moment was featured on the program and VIP Passes for the evening.
The number 24 Lakers gold home jersey worn by Kobe on this image had an extensive use during the 2007-2008 season with 26 photomatchings authenticated by MeiGray from Getty images. The catalogue estimates that Kobe Bryant scored 645 points in this jersey.
It was also worn for the MVP (Most Valuable Player) trophy presentation on May 7, 2008, which was the only NBA MVP of his career.
This Adidas jersey size 54 plus 2 length was sold for $ 5.8M by Sotheby's on February 9, 2023, lot 1. The uniform is accompanied with photos of period murals in Los Angeles and with an illustrated skate deck.
4
2009 NBA Finals Home Jersey
2024 SOLD for $ 1.75M by Sotheby's
Kobe Bryant became the leader of the Los Angeles Lakers after his teammate and personal feud Shaq O'Neal was transferred from the club in 2004. In 2006 he scored 81 points in a single game, the second highest figure in NBA after Wilt Chamberlain's famous 100 points.
The Lakers had not won an NBA final since 2002 when Shaq had been elected as the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the third consecutive year.
In 2009 the Lakers enter the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. Kobe feels a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. Despite a 100-75 win in Los Angeles in the first game including 40 points by him plus 8 rebounds and 8 assists, the highly sensitive Kobe is not happy with that result far below his desire to demonstrate his new Mamba Mentality ethic.
The Lakers win the series 4-1 with Kobe elected the NBA Finals MVP for the first time in his career. Kobe was then able to relax.
Kobe Bryant's game worn home jersey number 24 from Game 1 of the 2009 NBA finals was sold for $ 1.75M by Sotheby's on April 10, 2024, lot 1. It has been photo-matched by MeiGray.
The Lakers had not won an NBA final since 2002 when Shaq had been elected as the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the third consecutive year.
In 2009 the Lakers enter the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. Kobe feels a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. Despite a 100-75 win in Los Angeles in the first game including 40 points by him plus 8 rebounds and 8 assists, the highly sensitive Kobe is not happy with that result far below his desire to demonstrate his new Mamba Mentality ethic.
The Lakers win the series 4-1 with Kobe elected the NBA Finals MVP for the first time in his career. Kobe was then able to relax.
Kobe Bryant's game worn home jersey number 24 from Game 1 of the 2009 NBA finals was sold for $ 1.75M by Sotheby's on April 10, 2024, lot 1. It has been photo-matched by MeiGray.
2013 LeBron James Home Jersey
2023 SOLD for $ 3.7M by Sotheby's
LeBron James signed with the Miami Heat in 2010. In the 2012 NBA Finals the Heat had an easy win in five games 4-1 against the Oklahoma Thunder. James had scored 30, 32, 29, 26 and 26.
The 2013 Finals were much more challenging, between the Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs were leading the series 3-2 so that the 6th game, played in Miami, would be decisive. With 28.2 seconds remaining, the Spurs were leading 94-89 but the Heat were able to tie and to win after an overtime by 103-100, now tying the series at 3-3..
In these conditions the final and 7th game, also happening in Miami, promised to be one of the most thrilling events in NBA history. It was. Miami won 95-88 including 37 points scored by James.
The jersey number 6 worn by James in the first half of the 7th game was sold for $ 3.7M by Sotheby's on January 27, 2023, lot 1. This Adidas garment is of size 2XL plus 2 length for that 2.03 m 113 kg tall guy. It is photomatched by MeiGray.
The 2013 Finals were much more challenging, between the Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs were leading the series 3-2 so that the 6th game, played in Miami, would be decisive. With 28.2 seconds remaining, the Spurs were leading 94-89 but the Heat were able to tie and to win after an overtime by 103-100, now tying the series at 3-3..
In these conditions the final and 7th game, also happening in Miami, promised to be one of the most thrilling events in NBA history. It was. Miami won 95-88 including 37 points scored by James.
The jersey number 6 worn by James in the first half of the 7th game was sold for $ 3.7M by Sotheby's on January 27, 2023, lot 1. This Adidas garment is of size 2XL plus 2 length for that 2.03 m 113 kg tall guy. It is photomatched by MeiGray.
