Cooper Flagg’s Summer League Jersey Is Now A Major Investment
Someone just paid major money for Cooper Flagg’s Summer League jersey
How much would you pay for a used jersey? Kind of depends, right?
In the case of Cooper Flagg, someone was willing to pay nearly $100,000 for his Summer League jersey.
Cooper Flagg’s Summer League Jersey Becomes a Collector’s Goldmine
It’s not every day that a rookie’s practice or Summer League gear sells for the kind of money that could buy a luxury car. But Cooper Flagg is no ordinary rookie. The basketball world’s latest phenom saw one of his Summer League jerseys sell for nearly $100,000, a staggering figure for an item that wasn’t game-worn in the NBA, wasn’t autographed, and had barely touched sweat. It’s a clear sign that his hype is not just living in headlines—it’s translating into cold, hard cash.
For perspective, the number is jaw-dropping when compared to the earnings of past basketball legends. In 1965, Celtics great Bill Russell signed a $100,001 contract to one-up Wilt Chamberlain’s $100,000 deal. At the time, that was record-breaking money for an NBA player at the peak of his career. Now, in 2025, a piece of Cooper Flagg’s early-career memorabilia—essentially a rookie warm-up—has reached nearly the same value.
This sale isn’t just about a piece of fabric. It’s about belief—belief that Flagg is not just the future of his franchise, but possibly the future face of the NBA. Collectors aren’t paying for what he’s done yet; they’re investing in what they believe he will do. That’s a rare level of faith for someone who has yet to even play his first official NBA game.
The jersey in question comes from the NBA Summer League, a setting where rookies and young players test their skills before the regular season. While many Summer League jerseys end up in storage bins or charity auctions fetching a few hundred dollars, Flagg’s has broken into a stratosphere reserved for historic memorabilia—think Michael Jordan’s rookie shoes or Kobe Bryant’s early Lakers jerseys.
Auction experts say the price reflects the “perfect storm” of factors: Flagg’s generational hype, the rarity of early-career items, and the current sports memorabilia boom. In the last few years, collectors have been paying record prices for items tied to sports icons, and they’re gambling on Flagg becoming one. The buyer, whose identity remains private, clearly sees the jersey as an appreciating asset.
What makes this story even more remarkable is that the jersey isn’t signed. Memorabilia value usually skyrockets with an autograph or a game-winning performance tied to the item. In this case, the mere connection to Flagg’s name was enough to push the bidding war into six figures. That speaks volumes about his marketability and star power before he’s even hit the NBA’s main stage.
Flagg’s appeal goes beyond just his basketball skill. At 6’8” with elite athleticism, a high basketball IQ, and a reputation for competitiveness, he has been compared to some of the greatest modern players before he’s taken a professional dribble. His high school dominance and the hype surrounding his draft stock have made him a household name among basketball fans—and a dream target for collectors.
This jersey sale also raises the question of how high Flagg’s memorabilia prices could go if he delivers on the court. Imagine what a game-worn jersey from his first triple-double, playoff debut, or championship run might fetch. If early signs are any indication, those numbers could easily surpass this already staggering $100,000 mark.
The sale is also a snapshot of how much the sports landscape has changed. In the 1960s, Bill Russell’s $100,001 contract was revolutionary. Today, a rookie’s Summer League jersey can match that value before his first professional paycheck clears. The NBA’s global reach, the booming collectibles market, and social media’s power to amplify hype have created a new world for rising stars.
For Flagg, this moment is symbolic—an early chapter in a career that could redefine how fans and collectors value young talent. While he still has to prove himself against the world’s best players, the market has already crowned him as a star worth betting on.
As for the lucky owner of that six-figure jersey? They’re holding more than just a piece of clothing—they’re holding a piece of basketball’s possible future. If Cooper Flagg becomes what so many believe he will, that $100,000 could look like a bargain in the years to come.
