2019 October Legends Closing October 19

Lot #91: Iconic 2002 LeBron James Game Used & Photo Matched (To 1st Sports Illustrated Cover & Game) St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish High School Gold Basketball Jersey (MeiGray & Resolution Photomatching)

Description

There was no high school basketball prospect more highly anticipated than LeBron James. By the time he was a senior at Akron’s St. Vincent-St. Mary, LeBron was averaging 30.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game and was named Ohio Mr. Basketball. That 2002-03 high school season made LeBron James a star before his time, the most watched and wanted pre-college prospect to ever play the game.

This is the jersey that LeBron James wore when he was introduced to the sporting world at large. MeiGray has photo matched this jersey to Getty Images shots from the February 3, 2002 photo shoot at St. Vincent-St. Mary Gymnasium as well as the game later that day at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio. On that occasion LeBron’s St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish defeated the Archbishop Hoban Knights 74-49, with LeBron scoring 32 points with 7 rebounds. One of the photos taken that day was later used on the cover of the February 18, 2002 Sports Illustrated, LeBron’s first national exposure before being the number 1 draft pick in the 2003 NBA draft.

The gold mesh jersey has “IRISH” arched above LeBron’s number “23” in green and white. An XXL Onsports label is sewn in the lower left front tail and his number “23” is repeated on the back. The jersey shows good toning overall with some scuffing and perspiration stains as would be expected on the gamer of the NBA’s Number 1 draft pick. This jersey comes with LOAs from The MeiGray Group and Resolution Photomatching for the game use and photo match. Additionally, this jersey was obtained directly by our consignor’s father, an Akron police offer Robert Culver, directly from St. Vincent-St. Mary’s in 2002, prior to LeBron James’ senior season when the team received new uniforms. A detailed letter from our consignor who attended St. Vincent-St. Mary's will accompany the jersey.

Please note that this lot has a 25% Buyer’s Premium (28% if payment is made using a credit card and/or is not paid within 10 days of invoice). Goldin Auctions will be donating 5% of the winning bid price to The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Final Bid (Includes Buyers Premium):$187,500
Minimum Bid:$25,000
Number of Bids:24