Sacramento Kings v Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James
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LeBron James makes history again, this time stitched into his jersey. A fitting tribute to a record-setting 23rd NBA season.
When LeBron James takes the floor Monday night in Sacramento, the city where his NBA career began in 2003, his Los Angeles Lakers jersey will carry more than purple and gold. It will carry history.
In honor of his record-breaking 23rd NBA season, Topps and the NBA announced that James will wear a special commemorative jersey patch throughout the regular season. The colorful patch marks a milestone no player has ever reached. It also links on-court performance to the collectibles that preserve the league’s history.
A Patch Designed for History
The patch will appear on the upper right chest of James’ jersey. It features a multi-colorway design honoring the three franchises he has played for: Cleveland, Miami, and Los Angeles. At the center sits a silhouette of James performing his iconic pregame chalk toss. The number 23 anchors the design, symbolizing his unprecedented NBA longevity.
James is expected to wear the patch for the remainder of the regular season. After each game, the Lakers’ equipment manager will remove the patch and date it. The process will be captured on video. The patch will then be shipped to Topps’ production facility in Dallas, where CGC will authenticate it before it is inserted into a future trading card.
Each patch will be game-specific. That detail turns every appearance James makes this season into a distinct collectible. Select patches will appear in ultra-rare Topps cards, adding weight to every night he steps on the floor.
The initiative expands on previous Topps jersey-patch programs. Those include the “Debut Patch,” worn by rookies in their first NBA game, and the Gold Logoman patches worn by last season’s major award winners. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, and Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle all wore versions that later appeared in premium Topps cards.
Why Sacramento Matters
The setting carries meaning. Sacramento of course is where James made his NBA debut in 2003 as an 18-year-old rookie, finishing with 25 points, nine assists, and six rebounds, despite the Cavaliers losing the game. More than two decades later, the same city now frames a career that has spanned eras and redefined expectations.
In November, James became the NBA’s all-time leader in seasons played. He surpassed Hall of Famer Vince Carter’s mark of 22. The patch gives that achievement a visible form, stitched onto the jersey of a player still competing at a high level.
Still Producing, Still Relevant
At 41, James is not receiving recognition out of sentiment. He is averaging 21.9 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 51 percent from the field. The Lakers sit 23–13, fifth in the Western Conference, with James remaining central to their success.
The patch also aligns with a major moment for Topps. In October, the company released its first NBA-licensed cards in 16 years with its flagship set. It followed that launch with a record-breaking Chrome Basketball release last month. James further cemented the partnership by signing an exclusive trading-card deal with Topps in 2024.
James has not said whether this season will be his last. The production suggests he could continue if he chooses. For now, each game adds another chapter to a career still pushing boundaries, now documented one patch at a time.
Heavy Sports writer Erik Anderson contributed to this report.