Cooper Flagg's NBA debut jersey sold privately via Sotheby's earlier this month for $1 million, the auction house announced Thursday morning.
The price is a record for any Flagg-related collectible and comes mid-way through his rookie campaign, during which he is averaging 20.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Dallas Mavericks.
"The $1 million result for Cooper Flagg’s rookie debut jersey is a powerful testament to the significance collectors place on true ‘first moments’ in sport," Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles, said in a statement. "This jersey captures the very beginning of a special career, one carrying huge expectations and excitement.”
Flagg's Summer League debut jersey sold in August for $95,250 in a Sotheby's auction.
Sotheby's is the NBA's official game-worn partner, and generally offers jerseys from key games in public auctions, such as the 2023 sale of Victor Wembanyama's debut jersey for $762,000. However, the auction house has recently become more strategic with its inventory, holding back jerseys that have the potential to gain in value.
Collectors will have the chance to scoop up other key rookie debut jerseys at auction this month, however, as Sotheby's will sell gamers from the first games of VJ Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel, Dylan Harper, Derik Queen and more, with bidding opening Thursday.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.