Teen’s thrift store find earns him nearly $90,000 at auction
A 19-year-old student turned a three-dollar thrift store find into a nearly ninety-thousand-dollar windfall. Quinn Brown discovered a vintage warmup jacket worn by Wilt Chamberlain during the 1972 NBA Finals while browsing a Goodwill bin in Hillsboro, Oregon. He spotted the item shortly after another shopper passed it over, setting the stage for a major payday.
Sotheby’s authenticated the piece of sports history. The jacket was worn by the legendary center during a season where the Los Angeles Lakers took the championship title. Chamberlain remains a central figure in basketball lore with his record-holding career, including the only 100-point game in league history.
More than 45 bidders competed for the rare item during the auction. While initial estimates placed the value higher, the final bid reached $89,600 after a tense last-second offer. Brown plans to use the proceeds for travel and long-term investments. This result serves as a reminder of the hidden value present in secondary retail markets.