Latest news with #JamesNaismith
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- 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
Images via Getty Images 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. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
NBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- NBC News
Indiana has always had a special connection to basketball — and now it's the center of the hoops universe
INDIANAPOLIS — There's a phrase that's ubiquitous in Indiana. You see it on chalkboard signs outside of bars. You hear it from fans, coaches and players. It was emblazoned on T-shirts at Game 3 of the NBA Finals. It's even the slogan for the state's basketball Hall of Fame. In 49 other states, it's just basketball. But this is Indiana. It was in 1925, after all, that the inventor of basketball, James Naismith, watched a state high school tournament and declared Indiana 'the center of the sport.' Now, 100 years later, between a stunning Indiana Pacers run to the finals and the exploding popularity of the Indiana Fever, Naismith's observation has never been more true. 'I realized that basketball was really special when I took my official visit here,' said Pacers center Thomas Bryant, who played two years at Indiana University before entering the NBA in 2017. 'It just felt right. You felt the energy, you felt the tenacity, you felt the love of the game, and the passion that everybody brought. That's what made me fall in love with Indiana.' 'Basketball is king,' said actor Drew Powell, a native of the town of Lebanon whose recent credits include the medical drama 'The Pitt.' 'It's everywhere. The entire state buys in. Like Brazilians are born with soccer, Hoosiers are born with basketball.' 'I've been here for a few years now,' Fever guard Lexie Hull explained. 'And getting to go to high schools and see just even at that level, people are so passionate, excited and supportive of women's and men's basketball. I don't think you find that everywhere.' Hoosier Hysteria dates back well into the early 1900s. The state's love of basketball in particular grew out of the single-class high school system, which pitted every school in the state against one another in one massive basketball tournament that whipped fans into a frenzy — and impressed Naismith. In 1954, the Milan High School Indians, with an enrollment of only 161 students, won the state tournament, which served as the inspiration for the 1986 film 'Hoosiers.' In 1955, Sports Illustrated wrote about what it deemed the 'statewide mania' of basketball in a story headlined 'The Hoosier Madness.' Since then, Indiana has produced well over 100 professional players, most notably Hall of Famer Larry Bird, who, after stints as the head coach and the president of basketball operations, is an adviser for the Pacers. And now, Indiana is home to both another underdog story in the Pacers, who are on the cusp of their first NBA championship, and the ascending Fever, who employ the biggest star in the WNBA, Caitlin Clark. 'As someone who grew up in the state of Indiana ... it's such a fun time to be in the city,' Fever head coach Stephanie White said. 'I was here the last time the Pacers were in the finals. I remember being in the building and feeling the energy. There's no better place.' The simultaneous success of the men's and women's professional teams gives Indiana a real chance to become the first state to have an NBA and a WNBA champion in the same year since 2002, when the Lakers and Sparks won for Los Angeles. (The Fever may not be title favorites, but then again, neither were the Pacers.) The teams have also shown up for each other, with players from both sides often attending the other's games this spring. (Through Game 3 of the finals, the Pacers were 8-0 in playoff games attended by Clark.) 'It's been real fun,' said Fever forward Natasha Howard, who has attended multiple postseason games. 'To see our guys come from being 10-15 to being in the NBA Finals, anything is possible. I'm extremely proud of what they overcame.' 'It's electric,' added Hull, who attended Game 3 with Howard and Clark. 'They're selling out Gainbridge [Fieldhouse], we're selling out Gainbridge. We love to support them and they love to support us.' The Pacers and the Fever are not only successful, they're capturing fans in a unique way. Since drafting Clark last year, the Fever have routinely broken attendance and viewership records. Powell described the atmosphere at their home games as something closer to a concert because of the fanaticism. The team even sold so much merchandise after drafting Clark that it was reportedly audited. The Pacers, meanwhile, aren't quite as much of an underdog as Milan was in '54, but they are putting together their own run worthy of a Hollywood script. The Pacers had the 17th-best title odds before the season, worse than some teams that didn't even make the playoffs. They were five games under .500 over a quarter of the way into the season. And during the playoffs, they pulled off a string of comebacks en route to the finals, the chances of which were 1 in 10 million. Literally. And the Pacers have done all of this despite their limited avenues to building a contender. Even with the state being a hotbed for basketball, Indiana has not been a major player for free agents. The Pacers also largely refuse to tank for top draft picks. The result is a finals team very few saw coming — one that's giving the Oklahoma City Thunder and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all they can handle. The sport of basketball has followed Powell, who flew in from Los Angeles for Game 4, around his entire life. He was offered a chance to be in 'Hoosiers' as an extra when he was in grade school, but he declined when he found out he would be required to cut his hair for the role. (He regrets it.) He went to college in Indiana, at DePauw University in Greencastle, where he was fraternity brothers with future Butler University head coach (and current Boston Celtics general manager) Brad Stevens. He knows how meaningful the Pacers winning it all would be for his home state. 'It puts you on the map,' Powell said about what an NBA title would do for Indiana. 'For a long time, being a small-market team, there are ways in which we're always at odds with the league. If the Pacers win, it would be the ultimate team award. 'There's a quote in 'Hoosiers, ' ' Let's win this one for all the small schools that never had a chance to be here,' you know? I could see the Pacers saying that exact type of thing in the huddle.'
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Students honor famous Kansans on the Sunflower State's birthday
GALENA, Kan. — One of the Four States is celebrating a birthday today. All of us have heard the song, but you may not know that 'Home on the Range' is, in fact, the official song of the Sunflower State. To celebrate, third-grade students at Liberty Elementary have chosen a famous Kansan, one that was born in the state or lived there for a period of time. Students could research and put together storyboards by themselves, or like Ryker Williamson and Colton Meyr, who worked together on the man who literally wrote the book on basketball, Dr. James Naismith. 'He was famous for inventing the game of basketball in 1891. He was also credited with designing the first football helmet. He was the first member of the Basketball Hall of Fame,' said Colton Meyr, who researched James Naismith. 'He's originally from Canada, and he moved to Kansas, and he founded the University of Kansas basketball and was the first coach for Kansas.' Joplin business owner, 6 others admit to RICO conspiracy in hiring undocumented workers What is causing egg prices to skyrocket in Kansas? Two children found dead in lake in rural Linn County Okley Davis and Selah Sullivan did the same thing with the life of George Washington Carver, who was born in the Show-Me State but went to school in the Sunflower State. 'Well, he made 325 uses for peanuts, and he was the first black student to be accepted to Simpson College,' said Selah Sullivan, who researched George Washington Carver. 'Cause you learn new stuff, and it's really cool learning about people that you didn't know at first.' Harlow Charles and Arkham January focused on female aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. 'She was the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She disappeared over the Pacific Ocean,' said Arkham January, who researched Amelia Earhart. Tuesday marks the 164th birthday of the state of Kansas, which was the 34th to be admitted into the Union. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
