LeBron James and Topps: a collectible patch for his 23rd NBA season
LeBron James celebrates his 23rd NBA season with a special patch on the Lakers’ jersey. Every game becomes a unique piece of history and memorabilia
When LeBron James takes the floor in Sacramento, the city where his NBA journey began in 2003, he’ll do so with a brand-new detail on his Los Angeles Lakers uniform.
On the upper right chest of the jersey, a commemorative patch will appear, dedicated to his 23rd NBA season – a milestone no other player has ever reached in league history.
This isn’t just a symbolic tribute. It’s recognition of a career that continues to rewrite records, season after season.
A patch that tells the story of LeBron James’ entire career
The patch’s design is anything but random. At its center stands the silhouette of the iconic chalk toss, the pregame ritual that has accompanied James for years, flanked by three colored stripes representing the franchises where he left his mark: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron will wear this patch for the remaining 46 regular-season games, turning every appearance into a one-of-a-kind artifact. After each game, the patch will be removed, dated, and cataloged by the Lakers’ equipment staff before being sent to Dallas, to Topps’ production center, where it will be authenticated and later embedded into collectible trading cards.
A process that transforms a simple jersey detail into a fragment of NBA history.
LeBron and Topps: where collecting meets history
The initiative is part of Topps’ new chapter, as the company returns to producing official NBA cards after 16 years. Following the success of the “Debut Patch” for rookies and the special patches worn by individual award winners last season, it’s now LeBron’s turn.
A truly unique case: every game played by James generates an irreplaceable collectible. An idea that directly links on-court performance, memorabilia, and the market.
JJ Redick revisits LeBron’s NBA debut: a surprising detail
There’s also room for a look back. Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed that he recently rewatched LeBron’s NBA debut from October 29, 2003 – against the Sacramento Kings – while preparing an episode of the Mind the Game podcast.
James finished that game with 29 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals, despite a Cavaliers loss. But what struck Redick was a tactical detail:
They were running a floppy set for him. It’s absurd. I don’t think LeBron has run a floppy in the last 15 years. And yet his first NBA basket came exactly that way.
JJ Redick
An image worlds away from the ball-dominant LeBron we’ve come to know, highlighting just how much his game has evolved.
A celebration that goes beyond the jersey
The commemorative patch is more than an accessory. It’s a symbol of a career that spans eras, playing styles, and generations. LeBron James, in his 23rd NBA season, remains a force on the court and a reference point beyond it.
And now, every game he plays becomes a collectible piece of history.