Ranking the Ten Most Valuable NBA Jerseys Ever Auctioned
Owning an NBA jersey is like holding a piece of basketball history. These jerseys capture the essence of iconic moments, from buzzer-beaters to championships, and they’re worth millions because of the legacy they represent. Here’s a look at the ten that have sent collectors—and price tags—into another stratosphere.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—1984 NBA Finals—$228,6002
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Fifteen seasons in, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was still outmuscling the league’s best. This jersey—his purple and gold No. 33 from the 1984 NBA Finals—is a front-row seat to one of the fiercest rivalries in basketball. He wore it during Games 1 and 5, putting up leader-board numbers in points, rebounds, and blocks. It was authenticated through game footage and playoff-tested.
John Wooden—1930–32 Purdue Boilermakers—$264,000
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Before he became a coaching legend, John Wooden was lighting up the court at Purdue—and his old jersey just set a benchmark for college memorabilia. The No. 13 Boilermakers classic sold for $264,000 in 2018. After being preserved by a family friend, Purdue alum Drew Brees bought it and returned it to campus, where it now proudly lives at Mackey Arena.
LeBron James—38,000-Point Game (2023)—$393,700
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On a January night in 2023, LeBron James turned another page in the record books—and his jersey from that game attracted major attention at Sotheby’s before fetching $393,700. That night, he hit 38,000 points and became the youngest to do it.
Michael Jordan—1998 “Last Dance” Season—$508,000
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Michael Jordan’s 1998 regular-season jersey was used during the stormy, storybook final chapter of his Bulls run, and pulled in $508,000 at Sotheby’s. It’s linked to two games from the “Last Dance” season, a year that saw Jordan rise above front-office chaos and locker room tension to lead Chicago to a sixth title.
Victor Wembanyama—NBA Debut (2023)—$762,000
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Victor Wembanyama’s first steps on an NBA court made history. The jersey he played in throughout the second half of his debut game against the Mavericks went for a staggering $762,000. In just 23 minutes, the 7-foot-4 sensation dropped 15 points, grabbed five boards, and gave fans a glimpse of what’s to come.
Michael Jordan—1982–83 UNC Season—$1.38 Million
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Michael Jordan used to be in Carolina blue while tearing up the college game. His 1982–83 UNC jersey, from his sophomore season, commanded a price of record-breaking $1.38 million. This exact No. 23 was authenticated via archival footage to the season he won NCAA Player of the Year and graced the cover of The Sporting News.
Magic Johnson—1980 NBA Finals, Game 6—$1.5 Million
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There are clutch performances, and then there’s what Magic Johnson did in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals. As a 20-year-old rookie, he rewrote what was possible. Stepping into Kareem’s role, he ran the floor, ruled the paint, and led the Lakers with 42 points, 15 boards, and seven assists. His jersey was used again during the 1984 Finals, drawing a bid of $1.5 million.
Kobe Bryant—2009 NBA Finals, Game 1—$1.75 Million
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Game 1 of the 2009 Finals was all Kobe Bryant. Dropping 40 points against the Orlando Magic, he lit up the court and powered the Lakers to a commanding 100–75 win. That performance—his highest-scoring game in an NBA Finals—set the tone for the series and the following championship. The jersey he played in, verified through images and expert analysis, sold for $1.75 million at auction.
LeBron James—2013 NBA Finals, Game 7—$3.7 Million
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With the title hanging in the balance and the weight of a Game 7 on his shoulders, LeBron James turned pressure into poetry. He dropped 37 points, grabbed 12 boards, and didn’t miss a single free throw—cementing back-to-back championships for Miami and another Finals MVP for himself. The jersey he used in that unforgettable first half raked in $3.7 million.
Michael Jordan—1984 Preseason Debut—$4.215 Million
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Long before Air Jordan took flight, a rookie laced up for a preseason game in Peoria, donning a hand-me-down Bulls jersey—faded stitching, repurposed fabric, and all. That uniform, identified through multiple match points to four October 1984 games, including his NBA debut, was recently auctioned for $4.215 million. It’s scrawled with “My Very Best” in his handwriting.
Michael Jordan—1996–97 Bulls Road Jersey—$4.68 Million
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This red Chicago Bulls jersey saw Michael Jordan across 17 games during his fifth title run—and even caught a flash of history in March 1997, when rookie Allen Iverson pulled off that crossover. It spanned from December to April and defied Jordan’s usual one-game rotation.
Wilt Chamberlain—1972 NBA Finals, Game 5—$4.9 Million
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With a broken hand and a championship on the line, Wilt Chamberlain racked up 24 points, 29 rebounds, eight assists, and eight blocks in a single game, sealing the Lakers’ first title since their move to L.A. The jersey from that night, drenched in grit and glory, sold for $4.9 million.
Kobe Bryant—2007–08 MVP Season—$5.85 Million
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This Kobe Bryant jersey, worn across 25 games—including playoff battles and the night he accepted his MVP at Staples Center—is one of the most valuable Kobe items ever. Its image lives on in murals and street art around the globe.
Kobe Bryant—1996–97 Lakers Debut—$7 Million
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When Kobe Bryant was still a fearless teenager with a shaved head and sky-high ambition, he suited up in this jersey to tip off his NBA journey. It was worn during seven pivotal early moments—including his preseason and regular-season debuts—and marked the first chapter of an iconic career. The jersey reached a sale price of $7 million in 2025 and set a new record for any Bryant collectible.
Michael Jordan—1998 NBA Finals, Game 1—$10.1 Million
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The stage was set, the lights were blinding, and Michael Jordan stepped onto the floor like it was scripted. In Game 1 of the ’98 Finals, he poured in 33 points over 45 intense minutes, clad in the now-iconic red Bulls jersey later splashed across Sports Illustrated. That same jersey became the highest-selling NBA uniform at $10.1 million.