15 Best Selling NBA Jerseys of All-Time (Ranked)

The NBA is one of the largest sports leagues in the world and one of the richest. A large part of its basketball-related income comes from jersey sales, which are growing by the day as the league goes global.

Let’s take a look at the top 15 players in the history of the league with the most jerseys sold.

These 15 players are not only some of the best to have graced the league but also some of the most recognizable faces in the world. Their reputations transcend the sport and have thus contributed to an insane amount of merchandise sales.

15

Dwyane Wade

One of the greatest players in Miami Heat history, Dwyane Wade delivered great success to the franchise both with and without LeBron James being by his side. After helping deliver to an NBA title in the mid-2000s, Wade then helped form the iconic Big 3 alongside James and Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh, and they became synonymous with the Heat.

Wade’s explosiveness and finishing made him one of the most must-watch players in the NBA, and it’s no surprise his jersey ranks as one of the most highly-sold.

14

Kevin Garnett

Part of the Boston Celtics’ triumphant 2008 run to the title, Kevin Garnett embodied everything that was so great about Doc Rivers’ team back then. Hard-nosed, full of grit and steel, Garnett took no prisoners, and was the heartbeat of a Celtics side that not only had the talent, but had the hard work to back it up too.

The Celtics have always been one of the most popular and beloved franchises in league history, so couple that with Garnett’s own fame and esteem, and it’s no surprise his jersey ranks highly for most sold too.

13

Derrick Rose

The youngest MVP winner in NBA history, Derrick Rose’s run leading the Chicago Bulls offence might go down as one of the greatest stretches of all-time. Rose was simply far too quick and explosive for nearly everyone in the league, and his athletic dunks and vertical made him a true highlight reel.

Not since Michael Jordan had the Bulls had a player like Rose captivate fans and capture the imagination of so many people around the world, and his iconic number made him all the more marketable too.

12

Carmelo Anthony

Arguably the greatest player in New York Knicks history, Carmelo Anthony goes down as one of the greatest scorers the NBA has ever seen too. Part of that clutch of players alongside the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul, Anthony might not have won a championship during his NBA career, but he more than enjoyed a successful time in the league.

Whether it was hitting the three-point shot in clutch situations, or working his craft in the mid-range, Anthony could score from all levels, and in his prime, the Knicks were a team to watch year-in and year-out.

11

Hakeem Olajuwon

Starting off the list strong is Hakeem Olajuwon. His legacy and popularity in the sport are unquestionable, with the Nigerian winning multiple individual accolades, as well as featuring in three NBA Finals in 1986, 1994 and 1995 with the Houston Rockets.

Nicknamed “The Dream,” Olajuwon was one of the greatest centers in NBA history. He was the first player to win the NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP in the same season, which played a massive part in him becoming a fan favourite and boosted jersey sales.

10

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The second all-time leading scorer in the NBA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was considered the greatest basketball player of all time before the rise of Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

While there are still some people who feel that way, Abdul-Jabbar has the resume to back it up.

He won championships in each of his three seasons in college and won six titles in the NBA to go along with six MVP trophies. He was a serial winner, which means he was the biggest name in the sport during his prime.

But Abdul-Jabbar also made an impact off the court with his activism. He famously boycotted the 1968 Olympics to protest the unequal treatment of African-Americans in the country.

Despite his unconventional number, his No. 33 jersey has always been iconic.

9

Allen Iverson

When Michael Jordan retired for the second time in 1999, he left a huge hole. There were stars around at the time who would have vied to take over, but Allen Iverson rose to the top not only because of his basketball skills, but also because of his off-court presence.

He may not have had Jordan’s skill, but he had his swagger and then some. He embraced the hip-hop culture like no one had before, leading the league’s cultural revolution by popularizing braids, tattoos, and even pregame outfits.

His on-court resume wasn’t too shabby either, with an MVP, four scoring titles, and an iconic run in which he single-handedly led his team to the NBA Finals, all while standing at six feet.

All of these factors are why his jersey sales were off the charts, and are still considered some of the coolest of all time.

8

Julius Erving

Julius Erving began his professional career in the ABA in 1971 because he didn’t meet the eligibility requirement of being four years removed from high school to enter the NBA.

In just five years, he became the best player the league had ever seen, and his performances were a major driving force behind the ABA-NBA merger. And that, in turn, was one of the reasons the NBA flourished from the late 1970s onward.

Erving continued to dominate after facing better competition in the NBA, retiring after a phenomenal 16-year career with four MVPs and three championships in both leagues.

Dr. J was one of the most explosive players the league had ever seen, and his popularity would have been far greater had the ABA had better coverage.

7

Shaquille O’Neal

When Shaquille O’Neal entered the NBA in 1992, he was the most physically dominant player the league had seen since Wilt Chamberlain.

With a dominance that led to several rule changes, O’Neal enjoyed a career that spanned nearly two decades and included four championships and an MVP award.

During his playing career, the 7-footer’s decision to opt for an affordable shoe line with Reebok instead of a massive payday with a bigger brand led to him selling millions of shoes and making him popular with the masses.

Since retiring, O’Neal has stayed in the limelight with Hollywood appearances, DJing and many other endeavors, but most notably his role as a panelist on TNT’s Inside the NBA.

He remains one of the most popular players due to his celebrity and status as one of the top 10 players of all time.

6

Stephen Curry

The story of modern basketball cannot be told without talking about Stephen Curry‘s exploits on the court.

The emphasis on three-point shooting, not just in the NBA but in all of basketball, changed after Curry’s high-volume shooting made it popular. Taking a three-pointer in transition and deep threes were rare and frowned upon until he made it look easy.

As he spearheaded the NBA’s most recent dynasty, Curry was the center of attention as the league became more accessible around the world.

After winning two MVPs and three championships in a span of four years, he returned to the forefront when he led the Golden State Warriors to the title in 2022.

The four-time champion is still one of the best in the league, and his attractive brand of basketball has continued to make him a fan favorite, especially among casual fans.