Obama basketball jersey sells for R1.85 million

New York - A basketball jersey once owned by former US president Barack Obama sold on Monday for $120 000 (R1.85 million), according to the Dallas auction house that sold it.

The No 23 jersey belonged to 18-year-old Obama while he was a senior at Punahou high school in Hawaii, where he lived at the time, according to Heritage Auctions.

The jersey was valued at $100 000 before it was sold.

Obama is a known basketball fan and was often seen playing during his tenure at the White House, with presidential staffers, celebrities or other guests.