1971 RON BOONE SIGNED ABA UNIFORM PLAYER'S CONTRACT AND ORIGINAL TYPE I PHOTOGRAPH

In their fourth season in the ABA, the Los Angeles Stars, formerly the Anaheim Amigos, were sold to Colorado cable TV pioneer Bill Daniels, who moved the team to Salt Lake City as the Utah Stars. Aside from veteran Zelmo Beaty, the Stars roster was filled with a young core of talent, including Ron Boone who was acquired by Utah midway through the 1970-71 season. Boone was an instant contributor to the Stars averaging 15.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in 44 regular season appearances. Boone’s skills would continue to shine in the ‘71 playoffs where he upped his averages to 17.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. In the first round of the playoffs, Utah rolled over Boone’s former team, the Dallas Chaparrals, sweeping the series in four games. The Division Finals would pit Utah against the Indiana Pacers, reigning ABA Champions after having defeated the Stars the year before in the 1970 ABA Finals. The brutal series would go to seven games after the Pacers denied the Stars a chance to wrap up the series at home in Game 6. The Stars flew to Indiana for Game 7 and escaped with a remarkable 108-101 win to send Utah to the ABA Finals to face the Kentucky Colonels. The Finals would prove to be another hard-fought battle with the series going to seven games. With a 131-121 victory in Game 7, the Stars won the ABA Championship in front of their home crowd at the Salt Palace. After his trade to Utah during the 1970-71 season, Ron Boone would play in every single Stars game until the franchise’s demise in December 1975. Offered is Boone’s contract from the Stars’ only ABA Championship. Signed by Boone and GM – Vince Boryla (who played and coached in the NBA with the New York Knicks and played in the first NBA All-Star game in 1951). Also signed by two witnesses, including Larry Creger, who was an assistant coach under Bill Sharman and later followed Sharman to the Los Angeles Lakers. Also included is an original TYPE I photograph (9” x 10” in size) taken by Deseart News Photographer, Steve Parker. Photo has some tears but has crystal clear clarity showing Boone airborne shooting a 3 pointer against the Kentucky Colonels. A helpless Louie Dampier in the front and Walt Simon are shown haplessly trying to defend against, “The Legend.” Circa 1971-74. This lot has been pre-certified by Beckett Authentication Services.