Teen Buys Lakers Jersey for $3, Discovers It's Worth Millions
A 19-year-old American thrift store shopper bought a Los Angeles Lakers jersey for $3 and discovered it belonged to NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain, with Sotheby's estimating its auction value at $150,000-$250,000.
On July 7, 2026, an incredible thrift store find made headlines in the secondhand collecting world. Quinn Brown, a 19-year-old American, purchased a Los Angeles Lakers jersey for just $3.07 (roughly 100 baht) only to discover it once belonged to NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain, with an estimated auction value of $150,000-$250,000 (approximately 4.9-8.2 million baht).
Brown recounted how he spotted another customer holding the jersey while shopping, but when they decided against purchasing it and put it back, he quickly grabbed it. He then posted a photo on Instagram and was contacted by the prestigious auction house Sotheby's to authenticate the item.
Sotheby's confirmed the jersey was worn by Chamberlain during the 1972 NBA Finals. A similar game-worn Chamberlain jersey from that era previously sold for $4.9 million (approximately 163 million baht).
Wilt Chamberlain, known as "The Big Dipper," passed away in 1999 at age 63 and is considered one of basketball's greatest players. He holds the record for the highest scoring average in the league for seven consecutive seasons.
Sotheby's opened bidding for the jacket on July 1 with the auction closing on July 20.
Brown began collecting and reselling secondhand items during his high school years and eventually made it his full-time profession, completing over 10,000 sales. He spends 15-20 hours weekly hunting for valuable items in thrift stores but admits he never expected to find such a significant treasure. If the auction goes as expected, Brown plans to use the proceeds to improve his life and retire young.
