Victor Wembanyama, the 7’4″ French rookie making waves in the NBA, has solidified his skyrocketing reputation with his debut jersey fetching a staggering $762,000 at a recent auction by Sotheby’s. Surpassing the initial estimate of $80,000-$120,000, the bids for Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs’ white jersey soared, reaching one of the highest sums ever paid for an NBA rookie debut jersey. It is worth noting that the record for any game-worn rookie jersey still stands at $3.6 million, set by a Kobe Bryant jersey sold in 2021.
The auction witnessed a robust competition with 62 bids for the jersey worn by Wembanyama during his first regular-season game against the Dallas Mavericks on October 25. In the final minutes of the auction, there was a flurry of activity, defying expectations and driving the price to new heights. At only 19 years old, Wembanyama is already making a name for himself, averaging impressive stats of 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game this season.
This remarkable sale follows another high-profile auction where a jersey worn by Wembanyama during his NBA Summer League debut was 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 inaugural event attracted 176 bidders from 14 countries, indicating the global interest in collecting these pieces of basketball history.
While Wembanyama’s debut jersey stole the spotlight, other notable NBA players’ season opener jerseys also went under the hammer. LeBron James’ jersey fetched $50,820, showcasing the enduring popularity of the basketball legend. Damian Lillard’s Milwaukee Bucks jersey brought in $30,480, while jerseys worn by Giannis Antetokounmpo and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic were sold for $25,400 and $17,780 respectively. Steph Curry’s jersey commanded a price of $27,940, and Jayson Tatum’s jersey was purchased for $8,890.
The incredible demand and high bids for these NBA jerseys highlight the importance of these game-worn memorabilia to basketball fans and collectors alike. The uniqueness and significance of these items, coupled with the opportunity to own a piece of the players’ history, make them highly sought after in the sports memorabilia market. As the popularity of the NBA continues to soar globally, these investments in basketball memorabilia are only expected to grow in value over time.
In conclusion, Victor Wembanyama’s debut jersey making history by fetching $762,000 at auction is a testament to his rising star status in the NBA. The intense competition for this piece of basketball memorabilia, along with the impressive bids for other players’ jerseys, showcases the immense popularity and value placed on these special items by fans and collectors worldwide.
