LeBron James will debut a commemorative jersey patch Monday when the Lakers face the Kings in Sacramento, marking his record-setting 23rd NBA season.
At a Glance
- LeBron James will wear a special patch for his unprecedented 23rd NBA season
- The patch will be removed after each game and inserted into Topps trading cards
- James debuted in Sacramento in 2003 and returns at age 41 as the league’s all-time leading scorer
Why it matters: This milestone cements James’ legacy as the only player in NBA history to reach 23 seasons while maintaining elite performance.
The patch, positioned over his upper right chest, displays “23 NBA Seasons” alongside a silhouette of James performing his iconic chalk toss. Colored stripes represent the three franchises he has played for: the Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat.
James will wear the patch for all remaining regular-season games. After each contest, the Lakers’ equipment manager will remove the patch, date it, and document the process on video. The patch will then travel to Topps’ Dallas facility for authentication before being inserted into trading cards.
Topps, which resumed NBA-licensed card production in October after a 16-year hiatus, launched similar programs this season. The company created “Debut Patches” for rookies’ first games and gold NBA logos for major award winners, all later featured in limited-edition cards.
The timing carries special significance. James’ first regular-season game occurred in Sacramento in 2003, where the 18-year-old rookie scored 25 points. He returns to the same city at age 41 with 42,601 career points, having signed an exclusive memorabilia deal with Fanatics-Topps’ parent company since 2022-in 2024.
Currently averaging 21.9 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds this season, James trails Robert Parish by 30 games for the most games played in NBA history with 46 regular-season games remaining.
This milestone season adds another achievement to James’ four NBA championships and his status as the league’s all-time leading scorer.
Key Takeaways
- James becomes the first NBA player to reach 23 seasons
- Each game-worn patch becomes a collectible trading card
- The tribute began in the same city where his NBA journey started 23 years ago
