Lebron's 2002 'Chosen One' Sports Illustrated Cover Jersey Is Expected To Sell At Auction For Over $300,000

Source - LeBron James graced the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine in 2002 and if your bank account’s big enough, you can own the jersey he rocked when he was introduced to the world.

Bron was a junior at St. Vincent-St. Mary HS in Akron, Ohio in ’02 — and the top-ranked player in his class — when SI sent a writer and photographer to profile the future king.

The magazine — featuring LBJ on the cover in his #23 gold mesh jersey titled with the words, THE CHOSEN ONE — was released on February 18, 2002 when LeBron was 17 years old.

Now, the jersey James donned on the cover (he also wore the jersey for the majority of his junior season where he averaged 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists a game) is on the block at Goldin Auctions.

Ken Goldin tells us he expects the jersey — which was given by LeBron to a long-time friend who held onto it ’til now — could sell for mid-six figures (think 300k, 400k, $500k+).

Say what you want about LeBron James, but from a historical standpoint, for a high school athlete, no one in the history of sport has ever had as much hype prior to turning pro as he did. And the crazy part? He lived up to it. So yeah, $300-$500k seems like a lot, but all things considered (3 NBA Titles, 3 Finals MVP’s, 4 NBA MVP’s and 15 All-Star nods) it’s really not. That cover represents the beginning of an era in the NBA. Imagine being seventeen years old and posing like this on the cover of Sports Illustrated…

Then imagine getting this tattoo on your back…

It was unheard of at the time and it’s still unheard of today. As for who will buy the jersey? Who knows? All I know is that it’s going to be someone with a massive amount of disposable income who will probably be a little bit nerdy. Because let’s be honest, anyone who’s into sports memorabilia that much isn’t the type of person who can actually play sports. They live vicariously through those who are more athletically gifted than them. Regardless, when it finally does go on sale October 19th it’s going to get scooped up fast. I still  think Portnoy should buy it and burn it, I just haven’t run the idea past him yet.