In the history of men's college basketball, no player experienced greater individual and team success than Christian Laettner in his four years. Duke's star 6' 11" center from 1988-92 helped legendary Coach Mike Krzyzewski's Blue Devils reach the Final Four every year, including back-to-back NCAA titles as a junior and senior. His steady improvement each season reached an apex in 1991-92 when he swept all six national awards (Naismith, AP, John Wooden, Oscar Robertson, NABC & Sporting News) as NCAA Player of the Year.
For a big guy, Laettner had an innate feel for the game and tremendous touch in the paint extending out beyond the three-point arc. He averaged 21.5 points and eight rebounds during his incredible senior season, including 58% from the floor and an amazing 56% from deep. What really stood out was his knack for shining in the clutch. This was on full display in both the 1990 and 1992 NCAA East Regional Finals [against UCONN and Kentucky] when he sank the game-winning shot at the buzzer each time to send Duke to the Final Four. Of course, "The Shot" against Kentucky in '92 at the Spectrum is the one everyone remembers most. The Blue Devils then knocked off Bobby Knight's Indiana quad, 81-78, in the Semifinals -- an emotional win for Coach K against his mentor -- before blowing out the "Fab Five" of Michigan in the National Championship, 71-51.
Presented here is Christian Laettner's 1992 Duke National Champions 10-karat gold ring coming directly from his personal collection. The face has a lovely blue stone with a large number "1" formed by several CZs, with "NATIONAL 91 DUKE 92 CHAMPIONS BACK TO BACK" in raised relief surrounding the perimeter. The left shank has "LAETTNER" at the top and his uniform No. "32" below with a basketball and the Duke logo at center. The right shank has "ACC Champions" at the top with the ACC logo at center and Duke's "34-2" season record at the bottom. “JOSTEN’S 10K” is hallmarked inside the band. The size 12 ring (weighing 36 grams) shows light-to-moderate wear and comes with its original wooden display case stamped atop the lid, "National Champions '91 [Duke Basketball logo] '92 Back to Back." We know of no other '91 or '92 Duke Championship player ring to ever hit the auction block, and Christian was certainly the best player on both of those teams to earn one. Includes letter of provenance from Laettner himself.