NBA superstar LeBron James has solidified his status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, making memorabilia associated with him highly sought after by collectors and resellers alike. 

Recently, a LeBron James jersey from the 2013 NBA Championship series fetched a staggering price of USD$3.68 million (AU$5.637 million) at a Sotheby’s auction, marking it as the third-most valuable NBA jersey ever sold and the highest-selling LeBron James jersey to date.

The 2013 NBA Championship series was a memorable one, particularly for fans of the Miami Heat. Leading his team through a remarkable season, LeBron James’ dominance continued into the playoffs and culminated in a thrilling finals matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. 

Despite facing adversity, the Heat managed to rally back in Game 6, thanks in part to a crucial buzzer-beater by Ray Allen, ultimately securing the championship victory. James, who was named NBA Finals MVP, received vital contributions from talented teammates such as Allen and Dwyane Wade throughout the series.

While LeBron James had already achieved NBA championship success prior to this showdown with the Spurs, many argue that the 2012-2013 season solidified his status as one of the all-time greats. His performance in Game 7 of the Finals, where he recorded a double-double with 37 points and 12 rebounds, set a new NBA Finals Game 7 scoring record. It was the #6 jersey he wore during the first half of this pivotal game that fetched the impressive auction price.

Crafted by Adidas from high-quality mesh, the LeBron James jersey appeared to be in excellent condition at the time of the auction. Its sale marked a historic moment as the highest-selling LeBron James jersey and the third-most valuable game-worn NBA jersey ever sold. This achievement places it behind Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey and Kobe Bryant’s jersey from his 2007 MVP season with the Lakers, which sold for USD$10.1 million and USD$5.8 million respectively.

While athletic jerseys typically play second fiddle to sports cards in terms of breaking the million-dollar threshold at auction, the significance of a jersey worn by LeBron James during his prime makes it a wise investment for collectors and enthusiasts alike.