Cooper Flagg’s jersey from his NBA debut has been sold for $1 million
Earlier this month, Cooper Flagg’s game-worn jersey from the first half of his Dallas Mavericks debut was sold privately for $1 million, as announced by Sotheby’s on Thursday.
The sum set a new record for the highest price paid for an NBA debut jersey sold within the same season. The jersey worn by San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama during his debut game in 2023 fetched an impressive $762,000 at auction.
In an ironic twist, Flagg made his NBA debut against Wembanyama and the Spurs on October 22. He recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds in Dallas’ 125-92 defeat against San Antonio.
“I believe individuals perceive Flagg as having the potential to become an American icon,” stated Brahm Wachter, head of modern collectibles at Sotheby’s. “I’m not entirely certain that, in my experience with young rookie memorabilia, I’ve encountered a demand quite like this since LeBron (James).”
At just 19 years old, Flagg stands out among all rookies, boasting an impressive average of 20.4 points per game. He is also averaging 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 49 games (all starts) this season after being selected by the Mavericks with the top overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft out of Duke.
Flagg’s 49-point performance in a home loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 29 set a new NBA record for the highest-scoring game by a teenager.
The highest-priced jersey ever sold from an NBA rookie season is attributed to Michael Jordan. A 1984 Chicago Bulls jersey, autographed and worn during Jordan’s rookie year, was sold via Sotheby’s for $4.2 million in March 2025.
