Many professional athletes have their high school jerseys available for purchases, with some being very expensive. When asked who has the most expensive high school jersey, people would think it would be Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, or LeBron James. LeBron James’ high school jersey, which was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s 2002 “The Chosen One”, was sold for $187,500. However, the most expensive high school jersey now belongs to a person who did not play a single minute of professional basketball and college basketball.

The person who owns the most expensive high school jersey is former president Barack Obama. A high school jersey that was worn by the future 44th president sold for $192,000. The jersey broke the record on day four of the “Icon & Idols: Trilogy” auction.

Obama played at the Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii. He helped his high school team win a state championship in the 1978-79 season. During his state championship run, he wore the number 23 that is now worth nearly $200,000 forty-two years later. The highest bidder from the auction not only won Obama’s state championship jersey, but also other collectibles. While the collectibles were not specified, there were reports that the other collectibles were to include items such as a copy of a 1979 Punahou school yearbook, with photographs of Obama playing basketball in the number twenty-three jersey, 

Obama memorabilia has been a big deal in auctions and can be very expensive. A year ago, another one of his high school jerseys sold for $120,000. Obama seems to still have his presence felt in the basketball and auction world even when has not been involved in any college or professional basketball associations. Who knows, maybe other politicians or celebrities may have their high school memorabilia sold for higher prices breaking Obama’s high school jersey’s record.