LeBron James’ high school jersey up for auction

LeBron James smiles to the crowd as he sits on the St.Vincent-St.Mary bench with a minute left in the game. James scored 32 points against Poland Seminary in the Division II semifinal basketball game in March, 2002. DDN FILE

LeBron James smiles to the crowd as he sits on the St.Vincent-St.Mary bench with a minute left in the game. James scored 32 points against Poland Seminary in the Division II semifinal basketball game in March, 2002. DDN FILE
Sports
Sept 29, 2019
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A sweat-stained jersey LeBron James wore while playing Ohio high school basketball and during his first Sports Illustrated magazine cover shoot as a teenager in 2002 is being auctioned.

The online auction listing says the gold mesh jersey from the NBA star’s days with the St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish in Akron features green lettering with the word “Irish” and number 23, the same number he’d later wear for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

** FILE ** Akron St. Vincent-St. Marys high school star LeBron James holds up one finger during the team’s 65-45 win over Virginia’s Oak Hill Academy Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002, in Cleveland. James gesture proved prophetic as USA Today named the Irish the top high school basketball team in the country Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)

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Goldin Auctions says James gave the jersey to its current owner, an unidentified seller who attended the school.

The auction house says 5% of the proceeds will go to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The auction runs until Oct. 19. Early bidding reached $37,000.

James now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.

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