Signed sneakers Michael Jordan wore in college expected to sell for over $100k

By Dean Murray via SWNS

A pair of battered old sneakers are expected to sell for over $100,000.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan wore the Converse shoes during college years matches.

During the 1981-82 season, he helped the University of North Carolina (UNC) take the national title by scoring the game-winning shot.

A pair of battered old sneakers are expected to sell for over $100,000. (Heritage Auctions via SWNS)

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"Years before the youngster who would establish himself as the greatest basketball player in history ever sported his first 'swoosh,' he was a Converse man, just like most of the top hoopsters of the early 1980's, with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird the brand's most potent endorsers," said Texas-based Heritage Auctions.

A pair of Jordan's white and red leather high-tops featuring Nike’s iconic swoosh sold for nearly $1.5m (£1.1m) last October.

"Clearly Jordan continued to wear the shoes in the offseason, as there is outdoor wear joining that which was inflicted in service of (Former UNC Tar Heels head coach) Dean Smith," said Heritage Auctions.

"You'll note the blue surface of the heel embellishments has worn away but the strong aesthetics are not undermined by this effect."

The shoes bear the size "12 1/2" markings, correct for the collegiate Jordan, whose feet would swell as he put on weight and suffered an early professional ankle injury.

His iconic number "23" is written in vintage marker on each tongue tag.

The sneakers are being offered by Chuck Duckett, the 1982 team manager who got the shoes from Jordan back in the day.

Duckett told 247sports.com: "He played in them, practiced in them, and wore them around campus."

Jordan is reportedly aware of this auction and was "thrilled to lend a hand to their auction success," autographing each with a "Best Wishes" salutation in June for Duckett.

Duckett will be donating 50 percent of the proceeds of the sale to UNC basketball, a cause close to MJ's heart.

Online bidding closes on Sunday, August 28.