A 19-year-old thrift store hunter from Oregon just hit the jackpot of a lifetime.
Quinn Brown was digging through the bins at a Goodwill Outlet in the Portland area back in January when another shopper tossed aside a yellow and purple Los Angeles Lakers warm-up jacket. Brown grabbed it immediately for just $3.07.What he didn’t know at the time was that he had just purchased a piece of NBA history worn by the legendary Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain.
Brown, a recent Lincoln High School graduate who calls himself an expert thrifter, had a feeling the jacket was special. He snapped a photo and posted it on Instagram. That post quickly caught the attention of experts at Sotheby’s.
The prestigious auction house authenticated the Champion nylon and wool jacket as game-worn by Chamberlain during the 1972 NBA Finals — and also matched it to games from his final 1972-73 regular season.
Brown later explained the significance: “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.”
Sotheby’s is now offering the rare piece in its Summer Sports Classic auction with a pre-sale estimate of $150,000 to $250,000. There is no reserve, and as of early July, bidding had already reached $12,000 with dozens of bids placed. The auction closes later this month.
Local Fox coverage in Oregon captured Brown back at the Goodwill bins and proudly holding up his incredible find, showing the dramatic “CHAMBERLAIN” lettering across the back of the jacket.
The story is the latest example of how sharp eyes and quick action can uncover hidden treasures in America’s thrift stores and resale markets. For Brown, what started as another day of bargain hunting has turned into a potential life-changing payday.
Sports memorabilia continues to command serious money from collectors, and this authenticated piece of Lakers and Chamberlain history is proving once again why the category remains red-hot.
Stay tuned, the final hammer price could make this $3.07 purchase one of the best thrift store scores in recent memory.
