Ten Valuable Basketball Player High School Yearbooks

Michael Jordan’s autographed 1981 senior yearbook, Laney High School, Wilmington, NC, brought $2,875, courtesy Robert Edward Auctions

Before they were stars in the National Basketball Association, they went to high school, just like the rest of us mere mortals. And many of them are still there, forever captured in the pages of their hometown high school yearbooks.

Here are ten valuable yearbooks featuring some of the greatest players in NBA history from their high school days. There are certainly many more collectible editions in this sub-field, but for those treasure hunters who want a slam dunk their first time down the court, these gems will certainly deliver.

Wilt Chamberlain (1936-1999)

Wilt the Stilt, standing at 7-feet 3-inches tall,  was one of the most dominating players in basketball history. During his senior year in high school Chamberlain scored 800 points in his first 16 games and ended the season with an incredible average of 47.2 points-per-game. The Big Dipper’s 1955 senior yearbook, The Record, from Overbrook High School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is huge with collectors. Find one of these in excellent condition and it could be worth over $1,500.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1947-)

Before changing his name, Abdul-Jabbar played high school basketball under his birth name of Ferdinand Lewis “Lew” Alcindor, leading his team the Panthers to three consecutive City Catholic High School Championships in the Big Apple. Alcindor’s 1965 senior yearbook, The Power, from the parochial all-boys Power Memorial Academy, New York City, stands tall in the field. One example, autographed by the future UCLA and Milwaukee Bucks/Los Angeles Lakers star, sold at auction for $2,237.

Michael Jordan (1963-)

Michael Jordan is synonymous with NBA superstardom. During his senior year in high school, Jordan averaged 29.2 points, 11.6 rebounds and 10.1 assists per game, earning him a spot on the coveted McDonald’s All-American Basketball Team. Look for Jordan’s 1981 senior yearbook, The Spinnaker, from Laney High School, Wilmington, North Carolina, where he is pictured on both the basketball and baseball teams. A near mint example is worth approximately $1,000.

Shaquille O’Neal (1972-)

The 7-foot 1-inch Shaq has strutted his considerable stuff in the NBA for four different teams: the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns. O’Neal, who played his college ball at Louisiana State, had also been a big star in high school, leading his team to the Class AAA basketball title his senior year. Shaq’s 1989 senior yearbook, Quadrangle, from Robert G. Cole Junior-Senior High School, San Antonio, Texas, is rare, as his graduating class numbered only 78 students. This edition is valued at $1,500+.

Kobe Bryant (1978-)

The son of former NBA player Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, Kobe is one of the few players to make the successful leap from high school to the National Basketball Association. During his senior year in high school Bryant led his team the Aces to a 31-3 record and their first state title in 53 years. All four of Bryant’s high school yearbooks, Enchiridion (1993 thru 1996), from Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, Pennsylvania, were offered by one sports memorabilia dealer for $2,995.

Jerry West (1938-)

A member of the 1996 NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, Jerry West played his entire professional basketball career with the Los Angeles Lakers. West’s 1955 junior yearbook, The Kanawhan, from East Bank (West Virginia) High School, the season in which he wore jersey number 12, averaged 26 points per game and won all-state honors, is worth approximately $350. West’s 1956 senior yearbook is even more collectible, valued at around $400.

Pete Maravich (1947-1988)

Pistol Pete Maravich, who dazzled crowds with his behind-the-back passes and other basketball wizardry, played his college ball at Louisiana State, where he became the all-time Division I scoring leader with 3,667 points. The Pistol later ascended to the NBA as the #3 overall draft pick in 1970, where he played for three different teams from 1970-80. Maravich’s 1965 senior yearbook, The Latipac, from Needham B. Broughton High School, Raleigh, North Carolina, carries a value of about $500.

Magic Johnson (1959-)

Earvin “Magic” Johnson left Michigan State early following the Spartans’ victory over Larry Bird’s Indiana State Sycamores in the 1979 NCAA basketball championship title game. The NBA’s number one draft pick for 1979, Johnson played his entire professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was a three-time MVP. Johnson’s 1977 senior yearbook, Archives, from Everett High School, Lansing, Michigan, often sells in the $300-400 range.

Scottie Pippen (1965-)

Scottie Pippen, who won six NBA championship titles with Michael Jordan as a member of the Chicago Bulls, played his college ball at the University of Central Arkansas. A late athletic bloomer, Pippen did not start on his high school basketball team until his senior year as a 6-foot 1-inch, 150-pound guard. Pippen’s 1983 senior yearbook, Lion, from Hamburg (Arkansas) High School, is worth approximately $350.

Larry Bird (1956-)

Larry Bird, who played his college ball at Indiana State, starred for the Boston Celtics from 1979-92. During his professional playing days, Bird won Most Valuable Player honors three times, eventually amassing 21,791 career points and 5,695 assists. Bird’s 1974 senior yearbook, Hawkeye, from Springs Valley High School, French Lick, Indiana, is always a collector favorite. A copy in excellent condition is valued at $250-350.