NBA auction history shifts as Cooper Flagg’s $1M jersey tops Victor Wembanyama’s previous record

Basketball shoes and jerseys have generally only traded for five figures through NBA Auctions, but the market has officially taken a serious step up this week with Cooper Flagg's game-worn jersey from his professional debut selling for an incredible $1 million, a new record for the highest price a jersey has ever sold for via NBA Auctions. It broke the previous record of $762,000 for Victor Wembanyama's first jersey, which was sold in 2023, and shows that there is no shortage of people wanting to buy rookie memorabilia that will be remembered for years to come.Now one of the most expensive pieces of modern basketball memorabilia, the jersey was worn by Flagg in the first half of his NBA regular-season debut with the Dallas Mavericks. The finding underscores how a single moment, particularly one that's connected to the debut of a top prospect on the league's biggest stage, can transform the economics of sports memorabilia and offer clues to evolving collector preferences.On October 22, 2025, Cooper Flagg wore the record-setting jersey for his NBA debut against the San Antonio Spurs. The 19-year-old forward made his mark from the outset with 10 points and 10 rebounds in that game, showcasing the well-rounded talent that has made him one of the most highly touted rookies in years. The jersey was game-worn and photo-matched to the opening half of the contest, both features that elevate the price.Officials at the auction say that some collectors are more interested in pieces linked to specific "firsts" and "first moments," and in particular, players whom they view as future franchise cornerstones. In a sport where only all-time legends can push memorabilia past seven figures, Flagg's early career appearances and marketability helped to drive the jersey's final price into seven-figure territory.The sale broke the previous record in NBA Auctions, which was for a San Antonio Spurs debut jersey for Victor Wembanyama that sold for $762,000 in 2023. Wembanyama's jersey was seen as modern memorabilia, but probably not at this scale, given the world's strong interest in the generational center. It is a tip of the hat to that inevitable upward trajectory in player and, in turn, collector confidence in elite young talent. Flagg’s jersey now represents that evolutionary next step in that trend.But in the eyes of industry observers, the increase from $762,000 to $1 million in only two years is another indicator of how fast the market is booming, particularly for items authenticated as game-worn, with provenance clearly established. Flagg’s sale has already had auction houses ready for a spike in future rookie-debut jerseys.