LeBron James’ name is now attached to another accomplishment.
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, a St. Vincent-St. Mary jersey, worn in high school by the current Los Angeles Lakers star made its way to Julien’s Auction in Gardena, CA.
The jersey was sported during a 2002 Sports Illustrated cover titled “The Chose One,” captured by Michael LeBrecht, who served as a Sports Illustrated photographer at the time, per the auction house’s official site.
That photoshoot remains a memorable moment in sports, and now the high school jersey was put up for sale in September 2024, estimated by the auction house to be worth between $1 million to $2 million.
“LeBron James’ famous ‘The Chosen One’ high school basketball jersey and these rare photo prints of him taken during his remarkable Sports Illustrated photo shoot are some of the most emblematic and important pieces of sports and entertainment history,” said CEO of Julien’s Auctions David Goodman, in a release, according to the Bleacher Report. “This storied jersey represents the pivotal moment of LeBron’s ascension to basketball royalty and is one of the must-have collectibles of all time for sports memorabilia collectors, historians and fans.”
The jersey has since sold for $1.3 million, reportedly the highest price ever for a high school basketball jersey.
