Bronny James Summer League Debut Jersey Sells for $38,400, Surpassing 2024 No. 1 Pick’s Sale Price
Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, recently made headlines as his jersey from his NBA Summer League debut with the LA Lakers was auctioned off for an impressive $38,400. This amount far exceeded the initial estimated value of $6,000-$10,000, showcasing the growing interest in memorabilia related to emerging basketball talents.
Selected as the 55th pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft by the Lakers, Bronny James stepped onto the court for his debut on July 6 in a game against the Sacramento Kings. Despite a 108-94 loss, James managed to score four points, shooting 2-for-9 in 21 minutes of play, marking the beginning of his professional basketball journey.
The auction where Bronny’s jersey was sold, known as Sotheby’s “Summer League Selects,” featured debut jerseys of several other 2024 draft picks. Notably, Zaccharie Risacher’s Atlanta Hawks jersey sold for $3,360, while Reed Sheppard’s Houston Rockets jersey fetched $15,600. Interestingly, a jersey worn by LeBron James himself during a game in the 2023-2024 season against the Kings was also part of the auction, selling for $42,000, just slightly more than Bronny’s Summer League jersey.
Comparatively, the Summer League debut jersey of Victor Wembanyama, the first pick in the 2023 draft, sold for an impressive $62,020 the previous year. Wembanyama’s regular season debut jersey later commanded a staggering $762,000, surpassing initial estimates by a significant margin.
Bronny James transitioned to the professional league after a year of college basketball at Southern California, where he averaged 4.8 points per game in 19.3 minutes during the previous season. Despite facing a setback with a cardiac arrest in July 2023, James displayed resilience, averaging 7 points per game on 32.7% shooting across six appearances in the Summer League.
Looking ahead, the Lakers are reportedly evaluating their plans for Bronny in the upcoming season, with potential opportunities for him to play with the South Bay Lakers in the G League. The decision on his playing time will be influenced by the team’s needs and Bronny’s ongoing development, underscoring his commitment to growth and readiness to contribute to the Lakers’ success.
Bronny James’ market value in collectibles continues to rise, fueled by his family legacy and the intense public interest surrounding his career. Noteworthy sales include a unique trading card autographed by both Bronny and LeBron James, which sold for $114,000, and a rare Bowman University Sapphire card featuring Bronny exclusively, fetching $9,150. As anticipation builds for a potential historic moment of father-son duo playing together in the NBA, the demand for Bronny James’ memorabilia is expected to soar, reflecting the enduring fascination with his journey in professional basketball.