Victor Wembanyama, the French rookie making waves in the NBA, has further solidified his soaring reputation with the sale of his jersey from his first regular-season game. The jersey, worn during a match against the Dallas Mavericks on October 25, fetched an astonishing $762,000 at a Sotheby’s auction, surpassing the initial estimate of $80,000-$120,000. This impressive sum makes it one of the highest amounts ever paid for an NBA rookie debut jersey.
The auction for Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs’ white jersey witnessed a tremendous amount of interest, with a total of 62 bids and a flurry of activity in the final minutes. Standing at an impressive 7’4″, the 19-year-old rookie has already been making a significant impact on the court, averaging 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game this season.
This recent sale follows another notable auction where a jersey worn by Wembanyama during his NBA Summer League debut was sold for $62,000. Sotheby’s, in collaboration with the NBA as their official game-worn jersey partner, initiated this auction, which featured nearly 60 other jerseys. The total revenue generated from the auction amounted to over $1.2 million, attracting attention from 176 bidders across 14 countries.
While Wembanyama’s jersey commanded an astounding price, other NBA players’ season opener jerseys fetched more modest amounts. LeBron James’ jersey sold for $50,820, while Damian Lillard’s Milwaukee Bucks jersey brought in $30,480. Jerseys worn by Giannis Antetokounmpo were purchased for $25,400, Nikola Jokic’s for $17,780, Steph Curry’s for $27,940, and Jayson Tatum’s for $8,890.
The sale of Wembanyama’s debut jersey highlights the growing interest and demand for game-worn NBA memorabilia, particularly from rising stars. The record for the highest-selling rookie jersey still stands at a staggering $3.6 million, achieved through the sale of a Kobe Bryant jersey in 2021.
As Wembanyama continues to make his mark in the NBA, his skyrocketing reputation and the overwhelming response to the auction of his debut jersey speak volumes about his potential. Fans and collectors alike are eagerly anticipating what the future holds for this young basketball prodigy.
