Victor Wembanyama, the talented French rookie making waves in the NBA, has further solidified his skyrocketing reputation by setting a new record at a recent Sotheby’s auction. The jersey he wore during his first regular-season game, playing for the San Antonio Spurs, fetched a staggering $762,000, surpassing initial estimates of $80,000-$120,000. This makes it one of the highest sums ever paid for an NBA rookie debut jersey, although the record for any game-worn rookie jersey remains at $3.6 million for a Kobe Bryant jersey sold in 2021.
The San Antonio Spurs’ white jersey worn by Wembanyama during a match against the Dallas Mavericks on October 25 attracted a total of 62 bids, with a flurry of activity in the auction’s final minutes. Standing at an impressive 7’4″, the 19-year-old rookie has already been making an impact on the court, averaging 18.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game this season.
This auction follows another high-profile sale featuring Wembanyama’s jersey. A jersey worn by the French sensation during his NBA Summer League debut sold for an impressive $62,000. Sotheby’s recent partnership with the NBA as the official game-worn jersey partner kicked off with this auction, where a total of nearly 60 other jerseys were sold, resulting in a total auction revenue exceeding $1.2 million. The event attracted the attention of 176 bidders from 14 countries, highlighting the global reach and popularity of the NBA.
While Wembanyama’s debut jersey stole the spotlight at the auction, jerseys worn by other notable NBA players during their season openers fetched more modest amounts. LeBron James’ jersey sold for $50,820, showing the enduring popularity of the basketball legend. Damian Lillard’s Milwaukee Bucks jersey brought in $30,480, while jerseys worn by Giannis Antetokounmpo fetched $25,400, Nikola Jokic’s sold for $17,780, Steph Curry’s for $27,940, and Jayson Tatum’s for $8,890. These figures, although impressive, were a far cry from the staggering sum achieved by Wembanyama’s debut jersey.
The impressive result of this auction highlights the exceptional talent and growing popularity of Victor Wembanyama in the NBA. As a promising rookie, he has already made a significant impact on the court, capturing the attention and admiration of fans and collectors worldwide. With each game, Wembanyama continues to showcase his skills and set new records, solidifying his place among the most exciting and sought-after players in the league.
In conclusion, Victor Wembanyama’s debut jersey has made headlines by selling for an astonishing $762,000 at a recent Sotheby’s auction. The sale further validates his skyrocketing reputation in the NBA and highlights the growing interest in game-worn jerseys as valuable collectibles. As Wembanyama’s career progresses, fans and collectors eagerly await more remarkable achievements from this exceptional young talent.
