In a dazzling display of the skyrocketing popularity of French rookie Victor Wembanyama, his debut NBA jersey fetched an astonishing $762,000 at an auction held by renowned auction house Sotheby’s. The initial estimate of $80,000-$120,000 was quickly blown away as the bids for the San Antonio Spurs’ white jersey soared to new heights, making it one of the highest sums ever paid for an NBA rookie debut jersey. The current record for any game-worn rookie jersey is still held by a Kobe Bryant jersey sold for $3.6 million in 2021.
This particular jersey, worn by the towering 7’4″ Wembanyama during a match against the Dallas Mavericks on October 25, garnered significant attention. The bidding war escalated with a total of 62 bids, and the auction witnessed a flurry of activity in its final minutes. Wembanyama, a remarkable 19-year-old player, has already been making waves with his impressive statistics this season, boasting an average of 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game.
This highly anticipated sale comes on the heels of another notable auction where Wembanyama’s jersey worn during his NBA Summer League debut sold for $62,000. Sotheby’s recent partnership with the NBA as the official game-worn jersey partner kicked off with this auction. In addition to Wembanyama’s jersey, nearly 60 other jerseys were sold, resulting in a total auction revenue exceeding $1.2 million. The event attracted 176 bidders from 14 different countries, showcasing the global appeal of NBA memorabilia.
While Wembanyama’s debut jersey commanded a staggering price, other notable NBA players’ season opener jerseys fetched more modest amounts. Despite the star power of LeBron James, his jersey sold for $50,820. Damian Lillard’s Milwaukee Bucks jersey brought in $30,480, and jerseys worn by Giannis Antetokounmpo commanded $25,400. The reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic, saw his jersey sold for $17,780, while Steph Curry’s jersey fetched $27,940 and Jayson Tatum’s went for $8,890.
This extraordinary auction highlights the growing market for NBA memorabilia, with collectors and fans alike clamoring for a piece of history. Victor Wembanyama’s meteoric rise in the NBA has captivated the basketball world, and his debut jersey’s record-breaking sale is a testament to his immense talent and the anticipation surrounding his promising career. As the NBA and Sotheby’s continue their partnership, it is expected that future auctions will continue to draw international attention and set new records for NBA memorabilia sales.
