Wilt Chamberlain’s 1972 NBA Finals Jersey Expected to Fetch $4M

• NBA

In the world of sports collectibles, there are few items as valuable and treasured as the jersey worn by a champion. That's why auction house Sotheby's anticipates a major score with Wilt Chamberlain's 1972 NBA Finals jersey.

The renowned collectibles broker predicts this historic item will fetch more than $4 million in an upcoming auction. Chamberlain's jersey from the Los Angeles Lakers championship-sealing Game 5 victory over the New York Knicks has been dubbed by Sotheby's as the most valuable piece of his memorabilia ever to hit the market.

This lofty projection marks a significant increase from the current record sale for a Chamberlain sports memorabilia item: a Philadelphia Warriors jersey worn during his rookie season, which fetched a cool $1.79 million back in June 2023.

The Legend of Wilt Chamberlain

Standing at an imposing 7-foot-1, Chamberlain was a cornerstone of the team that clinched the Lakers' inaugural NBA title. Despite playing with a broken hand, Chamberlain managed to score 24 points and snatch 29 rebounds in Game 5 against the Knicks.

His outstanding performance earned him the title of Finals MVP. The legendary athlete, who tragically passed away at the age of 63 in 1999, left an indelible mark on basketball history. His laundry list of accolades includes an induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and four-time recognition as the NBA Most Valuable Player.

Notably, he also scored a staggering 100 points in a single game in 1962, a record that remains unbroken to this day.

Wilt Chamberlain’s jersey—worn as the @Lakers clinched their first ever title in Los Angeles—is headed to auction at #SothebysNewYork.

Find out more: https://t.co/9wp9JFB75R pic.twitter.com/ma9ywVSoUK — Sotheby's (@Sothebys) August 2, 2023

"This jersey holds an extraordinarily significant place in the history of Los Angeles. It's not only adorned by the man many consider to be the greatest player ever to step on the court, but it's also a relic from one of the greatest franchises in sports history," said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's head of streetwear and modern collectibles.

In a rapidly expanding world of sports memorabilia, where prices continue to skyrocket, Chamberlain’s jersey stands as a symbol of the player's legendary prowess and the indomitable spirit of the game.