The Jordan Jumpman Swifts worn by LeBron James in high school when he won his first state championship in 2000 are up for auction. According to reports they could net up to $200K.
Heritage Auctions is handling the sale. The black and white Swifts were gifted to LeBron’s stepfather Eddie Jackson in 2000 and signed with a special note. “23” as well as “1999-2000 State Champs” on both sides of each shoe.
The LeBron Effect
LeBron was a star at St. Vincent-St.Mary high school upon arrival.
As a 6-foot-2 freshman, James averaged 21 points and six rebounds per game. The Fighting Irish went 27–0 en route to the Division III state title, making them the only boys high school team in Ohio to finish the season undefeated.
During his sophomore season he averaged 25 points and seven rebounds, nearly six assists and almost four steals per game. By this point James was already the presumptive No. 1 pick in the NBA draft as soon as he was eligible, despite having two full high school seasons remaining. The team finished 26–1 and repeated as state champions. Bron was named Mr. Basketball for Ohio and selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team, becoming the first sophomore to accomplish either.
Heading into his junior season James sprouted to 6 feet 7 and truly was a man among boys. That season he averaged 29 points, eight rebounds, nearly six assists, and three steals per game. He was again named Mr. Basketball in Ohio and selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team, and became the first junior to be named male basketball Gatorade National Player of the Year. The team finished with a 23–4 record and lost in the championship game, failing to earn a three-peat.
By his senior year LeBron and St. Vincent-St. Mary were a traveling rock band. Selling out larger arenas throughout the country and playing in a lot of nationally televised games against other elite powerhouses. He upped his scoring and rebounding averaged 31 points, nearly 10 rebounds, four assists, and three steals per game. For an unprecedented third consecutive year he was named Mr. Basketball in Ohio and selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team. He was named Gatorade National Player of the Year for the second year in a row.
St. Vincent–St. Mary went on to win the Division II championship, marking their third title in four years.
The Kid From Akron
LeBron’s high school career alone is legendary, only Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) compares in terms of accolades and wins.
LeBron is in his 20th season in the NBA and turns 38 just before the New Year. His Los Angeles Lakers are among the four worst teams in the league, yet he’s still performing at an All-NBA level when healthy.
He’s on the shortlist with Michael Jordan and the aforementioned Jabbar for greatest players of all time. Given that Abdul-Jabbar played in a different era, we shouldn’t even really compare them.
When it’s all said and done it’s Bron or MJ, and you can debate that one forever. Both masters at their crafts and able to excel at the highest level in the highest leverage games and moments.
As Nike famously said about Bron, “We Are All Witnesses.”
