LeBron’s Iconic St. Vincent-St. Marry High School Jersey Is Up For Auction

LeBron James is the biggest basketball star in the NBA, and everyone wants a piece of the cake. The jersey LeBron wore in high school in Ohio and for his first Sports Illustrated magazine cover shoot as a teenager in 2002 is up for an auction.

One of his fans will be able to buy the gold mesh jersey from LeBron’s days with the St. Vincent-St Mary Fighting Irish in Akron.

The jersey features green lettering “Irish” and number 23. LeBron had the same jersey with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is a Laker now.

According to Goldin Auctions, LeBron gave the jersey to its current owner. It’s an unidentified seller who went to the same school. About 5% of the proceeds will end up in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“This is the jersey that LeBron James wore when he was introduced to the sporting world at large,” the description reads. “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 given directly by LeBron James to our consignor and his family and was worn by LeBron for the majority of his junior season. A detailed letter from our consignor who attended St. Vincent-St. Mary’s will accompany the jersey.”