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- Time of India
Top 10 most valuable NBA memorabilia of all time — Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, or Stephen Curry? Find out which legend shattered records as of 2025
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When it comes to basketball history, some moments are too iconic to stay in the past, especially when preserved in fabric, ink, or cardboard. From game-worn jerseys to ultra-rare rookie cards, NBA memorabilia has exploded in value in recent years.
With collectors shelling out millions to own a piece of the game's most legendary stories, the market has reached all-time highs. Here's a countdown of the top 10 most expensive
NBA
memorabilia items ever sold as of 2025, where legacy meets luxury in record-breaking fashion.
Top 10 most expensive NBA memorabilia ever sold
10.
LeBron James
2013 NBA Finals Game 7
jersey
– $3.7 million
Worn by
LeBron James
during the first half of Game 7 in the 2013 NBA Finals, this Miami Heat jersey fetched $3.7 million at Sotheby's in January 2023. It marked a historic night—James dropped 37 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists to seal his second NBA title and Finals MVP.
The jersey also came from his 2012–13 season, when he won his fourth (and most recent) MVP award.
9.
Michael Jordan
1984 rookie preseason game-worn jersey – $4.2 Million
Sold in March 2025, this autographed
Chicago Bulls
jersey is believed to be the first Jordan ever wore in an NBA game—preseason or otherwise. Photo-matched to games in early October 1984, the jersey was verified by two authentication firms and sold for $4.215 million at Sotheby's, making it the fifth-most expensive NBA jersey ever sold.
Its worn, reused condition added to its mystique.
8. James Naismith's original 'Rules of Basketball' – $4.3 Million
Dating back to 1891, this isn't about a player but the
birth of the game
itself. The original 13 rules of basketball, typed and signed by the sport's inventor James Naismith, were auctioned off in December 2010 at Sotheby's. Though not tied to the NBA directly, it's the foundational artifact of the entire sport, making it a historic treasure of unmatched significance.
7.
Luka Doncic
2018–19 National Treasures Logoman RPA (1-of-1) – $4.6 Million
A modern masterpiece in card collecting, this one-of-one rookie card featuring
Luka Doncic
's autograph and the NBA Logoman patch was sold privately in March 2021. Its staggering price tag proved that even current stars can compete with legends in the memorabilia market. At the time, it was the most expensive basketball card ever sold.
6.
Wilt Chamberlain
1972 NBA Finals Game 5 jersey – $4.9 Million
This iconic Lakers jersey, worn by
Wilt Chamberlain
during Game 5 of the 1972 NBA Finals, sold for $4.9 million at Sotheby's in September 2023.
In that championship-clinching win over the New York Knicks, Chamberlain delivered 24 points and 29 rebounds to secure the title—and the Finals MVP. It marked the second and final championship of his career. Despite often being left out of modern GOAT conversations, Wilt's staggering resume—two titles, four MVPs, 13 All-Star appearances, and utter dominance in the paint—makes this jersey a historic reminder of one of the most unguardable forces in basketball history.
5. LeBron James 2003–04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection rookie card – $5.2 Million
This ultra-rare
LeBron James
RPA from the 2003–04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection sold privately for $5.2 million in April 2021. Numbered out of just 23, it features an on-card autograph and a piece of game-worn jersey—an elite piece of craftsmanship that reshaped modern trading card value. Often regarded as the most iconic LeBron rookie card, it's the pinnacle of James collectibles and a true grail for investors in the basketball card world.
4.
Kobe Bryant
2007–08 MVP season game-worn & signed jersey – $5.85 Million
This jersey, worn by
Kobe Bryant
in 25 games—including six playoff contests—during his only MVP season, fetched a record $5.85 million at Sotheby's. The signed Lakers jersey became a cultural symbol, appearing on murals, books, and global memorabilia. Bryant also wore it while receiving his MVP award at Staples Center. Its sale marked the highest ever for any Kobe-related item.
3.
Stephen Curry
2009 National Treasures rookie Logoman autograph card – $5.9 Million
A one-of-a-kind card, this 2009 National Treasures Rookie Logoman Autograph became the most expensive basketball card ever when it sold for $5.9 million in 2021. Acquired by investment firm Alt, it represents the rarest and most prized
Steph Curry
collectible.
Alt's founder called Curry a 'generational player' and highlighted the card as the core of their investment strategy, citing its strong appreciation potential.
2. Kobe Bryant 1996 NBA debut game-worn jersey – $7 Million
Kobe Bryant
's yellow No. 8 Lakers jersey—worn during his 1996 NBA debut and several preseason games—sold for $7 million at Sotheby's in April 2025. The jersey, once auctioned for just over $115,000 in 2012, became the most expensive Bryant memorabilia ever sold. Sotheby's called it a 'rare and extraordinary artifact' symbolizing the origin of an icon, worn by Kobe as a teenage prodigy entering the league.
1. Michael Jordan 1998 NBA Finals Game 1 'Last Dance' jersey – $10.09 Million
The crown jewel of NBA memorabilia, Jordan's Game 1 jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals was auctioned for $10.09 million at Sotheby's in September 2022, setting the record for any game-worn basketball item. Worn during his 'Last Dance' season, the piece gained global fame following ESPN's docuseries. Sotheby's called the Finals jerseys 'remarkably scant' and this one 'his magnum opus' as an athlete. It represents the climax of Jordan's Bulls dynasty, his sixth ring, and the final moment of the greatest career in basketball history.
Also Read:
Michael Jordan's $8M championship Air Jordans featured in every NBA Finals win that secured his 6 rings and cemented his legacy
From the origins of basketball to the legends who defined it, these record-breaking items show how deeply fans and collectors value the sport's most iconic moments. Whether it's Jordan's final run, Kobe's debut, or a modern-day masterpiece like Curry's rookie card, the memorabilia market isn't just about nostalgia—it's about storytelling, legacy, and investment. And in this game, greatness always comes at a premium.
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