Bronny James' $38K Summer League Debut Jersey Sold to Lakers Memorabilia Collector

The jersey Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James wore during his Las Vegas Summer League debut was purchased for $38,400 from a September auction at Sotheby's by Lakers memorabilia collector and SCP Auctions president founder David Kohler.

Kohler, who was identified as the buyer by TMZ Sports, is the curator of the "Lakers Shrine," which is self-described as the "largest Lakers memorabilia collection in the world."

According to TMZ Sports, Kohler said he purchased James' jersey because of its place in Lakers history.

The 19-year-old eldest son of LeBron James is set to become part of the first active father-son duo in NBA history when he makes his anticipated Lakers debut this fall.

James was the Lakers' No. 55 pick of the 2024 draft. The former USC player wore the jersey on July 12, when he recorded eight points, five rebounds and two steals during a 99-80 loss to the Houston Rockets in Vegas.

The jersey will now join a collection of Lakers merchandise that Kohler says he has been curating for more than 45 years.

The shrine includes LeBron James' first Lakers jersey, per cllct's Will Stern, as well as the rim from February 2023 game during which James broke the NBA scoring record with his 38,388th career point.

Stern reported that Kohler also also owns playbooks from the Lakers' run to the 2020 title as part of a collection that dates back to the wrist cast Kobe Bryant wore during his rookie 1996-97 season, and even further to glasses worn by former Minneapolis Lakers star George Mikan during his time with the franchise between 1947 and 1958.

This might not be the first piece of Bronny James merchandise that ends up in the Lakers shrine. The jersey James wears when playing alongside his father for the first time during the regular season is likely to end up as a valuable collectible if it hits the market.