This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/20/2016
Featured here is a game-worn and signed Atlanta Hawks road jersey from the great Connie Hawkings, the Hall of Famer who gained almost mythical status as a playground legend on the streets of New York City. "The Hawk" dominated in the ABA as its first MVP and scoring champion before moving to the NBA where he averaged 16.5 points and 8 rebounds in his fabled career. If ever a career transcended statistics, The Hawk's would seem to fit that bill, with a stature among true basketball fans dramatically outsized from his numbers. His exciting brand of above-the-rim heroics helped to launch the modern style of NBA play and his impact from more than four decades ago can be seen on NBA courts even to this day. That's a hefty but well-deserved resume for this marvelous red mesh Hawks road jersey from 1975-76, Hawkins' final season as a professional.
The shirt has "Atlanta" across the front in white and gold tackle twill, the same arrangement for his No. 42 and his name front and back. The same red, gold and white scheme highlights the knit elastic collar and yokes. Russell Mills Size L tagging appears at the back of the collar with flap tag with printed "Hawkins" directly behind it in stacked configuration. Hawkins has added a black Sharpie autograph and his No. "42" inscription alongside his number on the front. The Atlanta Hawks wore red road jerseys with two different materials in '75-76, the mesh offered here and a knit alternative. Photo examples are attached, mostly of the knit, with one layer example (No. 23) in the mesh. The historic shirt displays solid game wear overall and comes essentially as-issued and problem-free, revealing only the slightest whisper of puckering on the white tackle twill elements and a bit of fraying of the delicate white and gold embroidery. It's a clearly sensational piece from an extraordinary figure in NBA/ABA history.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA (auto).