This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/30/2023
Perhaps no high school basketball player was as highly touted as LeBron James. He led the St. Vincent–St. Mary Fightin’ Irish to an undefeated season his freshman year and a year later the shear demand for tickets to see this young phenom led his high school to use the University of Akron’s arena for home games. He was named Ohio’s Mr. Basketball and selected for USA Today’s All-USA First Team, both firsts for a sophomore – and he would repeat those same honors his junior and senior years. He would go straight to the NBA after graduation, proving he was truly worth all the hype and accolades heaped upon him throughout his high school career.
This signed photograph captures the teenage superstar during a game against Oak Hill Academy in the championship game in 2002. This 8 x 10 color photo depicts LeBron in midair, about to shoot the ball. The game can be identified thank to the unique sneakers LeBron is wearing. This action shot clearly captures the pair of patriotic Adidas Kobe II’s. The shoes were designed as a tribute to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks and gifted to LeBron by Kobe Bryant. In an ESPN interview, LeBron remembered, “I think I was playing in a tournament in Teaneck, N.J., and they were playing in the [2002] All-Star game in Philly. And I had an opportunity to go meet him, and he gave me a pair of his shoes, and I actually wore them in a game against Oak Hill, against Melo [Carmelo Anthony], actually.” LeBron has signed this dramatic photo in contrasting silver pen. While there are some signed cuts and misc autos of Lebron in high school there are very few game photographs that have his autograph let alone one as unique as this. Photo shows in near mint condition. The signature has been authenticated by PSA/DNA with their LOA and their hologram sticker is affixed to the back of the piece.