A 19-year-old Portland resident discovered a rare Los Angeles Lakers warm-up jacket worn by NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain at a Hillsboro Goodwill outlet on January 15.
The item is now projected to sell for up to $250,000 at auction.
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The gold-and-purple, short-sleeved jacket was purchased by Quinn Brown for just $3.07 after another shopper discarded it.
It has since been authenticated by SIA Photo Match for Sotheby's "Summer Sports Marquee" auction, which runs through July 20.
Historical data indicates that Wilt Chamberlain gear remains highly coveted.
A similar jacket from the 1968–1969 season fetched $56,400 in 2022, while Chamberlain's 1972 Finals jersey sold for $4.9 million at Sotheby's in 2023.
How the Discovery Unfolded
Brown spotted the custom-made jacket during a morning merchandise rotation at the thrift outlet.
The authenticity was verified using stitching patterns and discontinued Scovill buttons, matching it to the 1972 NBA Finals and the 1972-73 NBA season.
"He just threw it in front of me, and I immediately grabbed it," said Quinn Brown, a Portland resident and professional reseller.
The professional picker uploaded an image of the garment to social media, which directly alerted representatives from the international auction house.
"They said your jacket has been matched to the 1972 NBA Finals. I knew the NBA Finals jersey sold for $4.9 million.
That's the jersey he wore under my jacket," said Brown.
The evaluation confirmed the rare collectible was utilized by the Hall of Fame basketball player during his final competitive season in the league.
