A Victor Wembanyama game-worn jersey from his Rookie of the Year season sold for $120,000 to headline Sotheby’s ”Primetime Performers” auction Tuesday night.
Wembanyama's 2023-24 Icon Edition jersey had a high estimate of $50,000 and was worn in the first half of a Jan. 4, 2024, game in which the rookie scored 27 points in a loss against the Bucks.
The result, which followed a spirited extended bidding process that carried the lot up from $80,000, is further evidence of the Spurs sensation’s ability to command premiums in the collectible markets, best exemplified last year when his NBA debut jersey fetched $762,00.
Elsewhere in the auction, Derrick Rose's NBA debut jersey sold for $31,200, and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau's game-worn custom Air Force 1s fetched $3,360.
The Rose jersey, which held a shockingly low estimate of $1,000-$3,000, came from the first game of Rose's 2008-09 rookie campaign in which he won NBA Rookie of the Year.
Other highlights included a $15,600 sale of Chet Holmgren's 2023-24 game-worn Association Edition jersey, which he wore in a November 2023 game, scoring 19 points with 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal.
The auction also featured a Luka Dončić 2023-24 Association Edition jersey ($19,200), Jason Kidd's game-worn custom themed Air Force 1s, designed to bring awareness to Autism Acceptance Month ($3,120), and Jayson Tatum's 2023-24 Statement Edition jersey ($10,200) from a game in November 2023 when he dropped 30 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.
More lots from the diverse auction, which was fueled by Sotheby's partnership with the NBA, included NBA Finals top seat covers from 1991 ($360) and 1992 ($480), Gregg Popovich's 2023-24 game-worn custom Air Force 1s ($2,880) and Jalen Brunson's 2023-24 City Edition jersey ($10,200) worn during a 39-point performance in February 2024.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.