David McCray Game Worn EnBW Ludwigsburg Jersey

This gold EnBW Ludwigsburg jersey was game-worn by German guard David McCray during the 2007–08 Basketball Bundesliga season. Manufactured by Spalding in size XXL, the jersey features a gold body with dark navy trim and white piping. The front displays the historic Basketball Bundesliga patch, the EnBW Ludwigsburg team patch, the Spalding wordmark, the EnBW sponsor logo and McCray’s number 8. The reverse carries the name “McCray,” the large number 8 and the “EnBW Ludwigsburg” designation. The front of the jersey was subsequently signed by numerous members of the Ludwigsburg team, creating an additional direct connection to the 2007–08 roster. The founder of PhotoMatchForensics received the jersey directly from EnBW Ludwigsburg team manager Mario Probst. Its authenticity and game-worn status are supported by a certificate personally issued by Probst, providing documented provenance originating from within the organization. This jersey dates from McCray’s first season in Ludwigsburg and therefore represents the beginning of his long association with the club. During this period, he wore number 8 rather than the number 4 that would later become synonymous with his career.

The 2007–08 season marked the beginning of David McCray’s enduring relationship with basketball in Ludwigsburg. After joining EnBW Ludwigsburg in 2007, the young German guard became part of a team that competed in the Basketball Bundesliga as well as European competition. Although Ludwigsburg finished the Bundesliga regular season in 13th place and missed the playoffs, the team produced a memorable run in the 2008 BBL Cup. After defeating Eisbären Bremerhaven in the semifinal, Ludwigsburg advanced to the final in Hamburg, where the team finished as German Cup runner-up following a 74–60 defeat against the Artland Dragons. McCray wore number 8 during the 2007–08 season. He also held a dual licence that allowed him to compete for the Kirchheim Knights, with whom he achieved promotion to the ProA. This early stage of his career already demonstrated the commitment and team-oriented approach that would later define his standing in Ludwigsburg. Across two playing spells, from 2007 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2019, McCray developed into one of the most important identification figures in the club’s history. Renowned for his defense, leadership and work ethic, he served as team captain and became a fan favorite, mentor and important link between players, coaches and the wider organization. Following the end of his playing career in 2019, Ludwigsburg announced that McCray’s number 4 would no longer be issued. The decision honored his exceptional and sustained contribution both on and off the court. His number 4 jersey became the first in the history of Ludwigsburg basketball to be symbolically raised beneath the arena roof. The honor reflected more than his playing statistics: it recognized his leadership, his role in integrating new players, his connection with the supporters and his overall influence on the development and identity of the club. McCray subsequently continued his work in Ludwigsburg as a youth coach, mentor and assistant coach, further strengthening his legacy within the organization. His continuing association with the club established him as “Mr. Ludwigsburg,” a title reflecting his rare importance across several generations and different roles. This number 8 jersey represents the beginning of that story. Its game-worn status is supported by a certificate from former team manager Mario Probst, from whom the founder of PhotoMatchForensics received the jersey directly. Together with the numerous team signatures on its front, the documented provenance makes it a significant artifact from the formative first season of one of Ludwigsburg basketball’s defining personalities.