LeBron James’s connection to an “Irish jersey” refers to his time playing for St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (STVM) in Akron, Ohio. The school’s athletic teams are known as the “Fighting Irish,” and their colors are predominantly green and gold.
High School Jersey Details
During his tenure at St. Vincent-St. Mary, LeBron James wore two primary jersey numbers:
- No. 32: James initially wore this number as a freshman. His preferred number, 23, in homage to Michael Jordan, was reportedly unavailable at the time as it was worn by an upperclassman.
- No. 23: He later switched to and famously wore the number 23 for the remainder of his high school career. This number became iconic during his dominant performances that brought national attention to STVM.
These “Fighting Irish” jerseys, particularly the green and gold variants, became highly recognizable as James led the team to multiple state championships and a national championship.
Significance and Collectibility
The St. Vincent-St. Mary jerseys represent a formative period in LeBron James’s journey to becoming a global basketball superstar. His extraordinary talent was evident even then, making these jerseys highly sought after by collectors.
The historical value of these jerseys is substantial. Reflecting this, one of LeBron James’s game-worn St. Vincent-St. Mary high school jerseys was sold at Julien’s Auctions for a record $1.3 million, highlighting its significance in sports memorabilia.
