US teen buys Wilt Chamberlain jacket in thrift store that sells for $89,600
A teenager in Oregon found a rare piece of sports history at a local thrift store for just over three dollars. Quinn Brown, who frequently searches for unique items to resell online, spotted a bright yellow jacket in a donation bin at a Portland Goodwill store earlier this year. The garment featured the name Chamberlain on the back.
After purchasing the item, Brown began to investigate its origin. He discovered online photographs of NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain wearing a matching warmup jacket during the 1972 NBA Finals. The specific stitching on the Lakers patch and the measurements aligned with the gear used by the seven-foot-one-inch basketball icon during his final season in the league. Once verified, the jacket became a high-value piece of memorabilia.
Sotheby’s took possession of the jacket to prepare it for auction. Experts noted that items from Chamberlain’s last active season are rare, as the supply of his game-worn gear is finite. The jacket recently sold at auction for $89,600. While the final price was below the initial estimate of up to $250,000, the sale represents a major return for Brown, whose previous best flip was a t-shirt worth two hundred and fifty dollars.
This sale highlights the market value of authentic sports artifacts. Chamberlain retired after the 1972-73 season and passed away in 1999. His legacy as one of the most dominant players in basketball history continues to drive interest from collectors globally. The anonymous buyer secured a significant piece of NBA history, while the thrift store find marks a life-changing moment for the young entrepreneur.